Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Toggle search form
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments American Arabs
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster American Arabs
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League American Arabs
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Activism
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP): Human Rights
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders Activism
  • Congresswoman Debbie Dingell Wikipedia
    Dingell, Tlaib Introduce Resolution Recognizing Eid al-Fitr Christian & Muslim
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan  American Arabs
  • Vote Yes campaign button, Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Low Arab early voting turnout in important Orland Park elections American Arabs
  • Aziz Shihab, long time Arab American journalist and author.
    A memorial to a great Arab American Journalist, Aziz Shihab American Arabs
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump press conference Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017 at the White House East Room. Photo courtesy of the White House

Trump resists condemnation of Two-States, predicts peace deal

Posted on February 15, 2017June 12, 2019 By rayhanania No Comments on Trump resists condemnation of Two-States, predicts peace deal
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Trump resists condemnation of Two-States, predicts peace deal

President Donald Trump held a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offering enthusiastic support for Israel and a stronger approach against threats from Iran, hesitation on campaign promises to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, but wavered when pressed on the issue of abandoning the concept of the “Two State” solution. Netanyahu danced around Trump’s hesitation and used the press conference to reiterate hatred of Palestinians and repeat racist canards libeling Palestinian rights

By Ray Hanania

Although President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented themselves as close friends at a press conference in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, the two seemed to have very different views on several critical issues.

The differences were coached in politeness, however, clearly an effort by Netanyahu to replace the more confrontational relationship that he had with Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama.

Yet despite the confrontations between Obama and Netanyahu, the tough stand under the Obama administration failed to yield any significant results in pushing Israelis and Palestinians closer to a final peace accord.

And while Trump did his best to be supportive and polite in disagreement with Netanyahu, there were disagreements that can’t simply be glossed over, especially on the issue of expanding Israeli settlements.

Trump told a room full of Israeli and White House reporters that he was determined to impose tougher sanctions of Iran, calling the nuclear deal worked out by Obama as “the worst deal I have ever seen.”

Trump explained “My administration has already imposed new sanctions on Iran, and I will do more to prevent Iran from ever developing — I mean ever — a nuclear weapon. Our security assistance to Israel is currently at an all-time high, ensuring that Israel has the ability to defend itself from threats of which there are unfortunately many.  Both of our countries will continue and grow.  We have a long history of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the fight against those who do not value human life.  America and Israel are two nations that cherish the value of all human life.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump press conference Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017 at the White House East Room. Photo courtesy of the White House
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump press conference Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017 at the White House East Room. Photo courtesy of the White House

Trump said his administration is committed both to Israel’s security and to the interests of “our common allies in the region towards greater security and stability. That includes working toward a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.”

The President, in Netanyahu’s presence, added, “The United States will encourage a peace and, really, a great peace deal.  We’ll be working on it very, very diligently.  Very important to me also — something we want to do.  But it is the parties themselves who must directly negotiate such an agreement.  We’ll be beside them; we’ll be working with them. As with any successful negotiation, both sides will have to make compromises. You know that, right?”

The journalists in the room joined in the laughter by both Netanyahu and Trump, and Netanyahu added with a smile, “Both sides.”

Netanyahu tried to avoid the subject of making peace with the Palestinians, instead returning the discussion and responses to reporter’s questions to Iran.

“You call for confronting Iran’s terrorist regime, preventing Iran from realizing this terrible deal into a nuclear arsenal.  And you have said that the United States is committed to preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.  You call for the defeat of ISIS.  Under your leadership, I believe we can reverse the rising tide of radical Islam.  And in this great task, as in so many others, Israel stands with you and I stand with you.”

Pressed on the issue of settlements, Trump reiterated that he felt the settlements were not helpful to achieving a peace, something he has repeated many times before Netanyahu arrived to meet with the president on Wednesday morning.

“As far as settlements, I’d like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit.  We’ll work something out. But I would like to see a deal be made.  I think a deal will be made.  I know that every President would like to.  Most of them have not started until late because they never thought it was possible.  And it wasn’t possible because they didn’t do it,” Trump said.

“But Bibi and I have known each other a long time — a smart man, great negotiator.  And I think we’re going to make a deal.  It might be a bigger and better deal than people in this room even understand.  That’s a possibility.  So let’s see what we do.”

Netanyahu then turned to an Israeli journalist who seemed prepped to ask the questiont hat Netanyahu wanted to drive home to President Trump during the press conference, asking if Trump was ready to abandon the “Two-State” solution.

Trump, answered the question first, saying, “So I’m looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like.  (Laughter.)  I’m very happy with the one that both parties like.  I can live with either one. I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two.  But honestly, if Bibi and if the Palestinians — if Israel and the Palestinians are happy, I’m happy with the one they like the best.”

Pressed on the issue of moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem, Trump added, “As far as the embassy moving to Jerusalem, I’d love to see that happen.  We’re looking at it very, very strongly. We’re looking at it with great care — great care, believe me.  And we’ll see what happens.  Okay?”

Ignoring rising extremism and hate among Israelis, Netanyahu used the press conference to continue to libel the Palestinians and to reinforce racist stereotypes asserting that only the Palestinians have been “teaching” their children hate in Palestinian schools. Like most Israelis, Netanyahu has closed his eyes to evidence of increasing hatred against Palestinians being taught in Israeli schools and especially int he illegal and racist settlements.

Netanyahu used the racism to premise his pre-conditions on Palestinian.

“First, the Palestinians must recognize the Jewish state.  They have to stop calling for Israel’s destruction. They have to stop educating their people for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said.

“Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan River.  Because if we don’t, we know what will happen — because otherwise we’ll get another radical Islamic terrorist state in the Palestinian areas exploding the peace, exploding the Middle East.”

Netanyahu also embarrassed the Arab World which for years has stood by the rights of Palestinians, basically saying that the Arab countries supported Israel’s demands for justice and suggesting that he expects them to turn their backs on the Palestinians when he said, “I believe that the great opportunity for peace comes from a regional approach from involving our newfound Arab partners in the pursuit of a broader peace and peace with the Palestinians.”

Netanyahu did not explain what a “broader peace” meant, but clearly based on his rhetoric in the past, he means turning Jordan into a Palestinian state and continuing Apartheid policies that would push Christians and Muslims out of territories that Israel is planning to annex in the occupied territories.

Yet despite the extremist rhetoric from a Netanyahu emboldened by the contrasting support from Trump that he did not receive from Obama, Trump remained focused on his message of supporting Israel, but forging a peace that both Israelis and Palestinians would support.

Although Netanyahu pushed back repeatedly on the issue of the illegal and racist Jewish settlements that have been built in violation of international law on lands forcibly confiscated from Christian and Muslim Arabs, Trump stayed focus on his own message that clearly contradicted Netanyahu’s expectations.

“I think that the Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard, it’s hard to do.  They’re going to have to show the fact that they really want to make a deal.  I think our new concept that we’ve been discussing actually for a while is something that allows them to show more flexibility than they have in the past because you have a lot bigger canvas to play with.  And I think they’ll do that,” Trump said.

“I think they very much would like to make a deal or I wouldn’t be happy and I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t be as optimistic as I am.  I really think they — I can tell you from the standpoint of Bibi and from the standpoint of Israel, I really believe they want to make a deal and they’d like to see the big deal.”

Trump concluded, “I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they’re taught from a very young age.  They’re taught tremendous hate.  I’ve seen what they’re taught.  And you can talk about flexibility there too, but it starts at a very young age and it starts in the school room.  And they have to acknowledge Israel — they’re going to have to do that.  There’s no way a deal can be made if they’re not ready to acknowledge a very, very great and important country.  And I think they’re going to be willing to do that also.”

To read the entire transcript of the press conference, click here.

Click here to view a video of the press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments - May 18, 2023
  • Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster - May 10, 2023
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League - May 10, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Arab World, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, Iran, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, Terrorism Tags:Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Israeli Prime Minister, Palestine, peace, President Donald Trump, Two-State Solution

Post navigation

Previous Post: Trump approach may not help Israel-Palestine peace process
Next Post: Trump opens door to “One State,” riles Israelis

Related Posts

  • Alderman Pawar Speaking at the Dedication of Honorary Lee Sandlin Way. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Muslim candidates running for offices in Chicago and Suburbs American Arabs
  • Mordechai Vanunu at St. Stephens Church, copyright Meir Vanunu 2007
    Vanunu still has more nuclear secrets to spill, Israeli court declares Bloggers
  • AlDowayan exhibit continues through March 26, Miami American Arabs
  • Saudi Arabia’s ancient UNESCO heritage site Madain Saleh will open to tourists for the first time in 2020 Photo courtesy of PrNewsWire, SCTH and Visit Saudi
    Saudi tourism takes-off with China, UK, Malaysia, US, Canada topping list of new arrivals Arab News
  • Reporter Censored by Twitter Arab World
  • Imad Hamad, Executive Director of the American Human Rights Council
    AHRC Office and Volunteers Working Remotely, Our Work Continues American Arabs

More Related Articles

Cook County Board Member John Fritchey, Cook County's only Arab American Commissioner unseated by Toni Preckwinkle. Moroccan American pushed out of office in Cook County Arab American History
Saudi Arabia and Iran: Volatile Political Geography of Oil and Minorities Arab World
End the Silencing of Mordechai Vanunu and Israel’s Nuclear Deceptions Bloggers
Deir Yassin Remembered recites names of murdered Gazans Activism
Control room of Arabic-language satellite TV channel Alhurra, June 2008 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Alberto Fernandez named to head outreach to Arab World Arab World
Charlie Kirk Truth USA Founder Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk Insults USS Liberty Survivors; His Audience Agrees Bloggers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Hezbollah billboards in Lebanon celebrate Sheikh Hasan Nasrallah and the righteous war against Israeli extremism and fanaticism. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
    May 12, 2023
  • The term Arab will be meaningless if we don’t stand behind it and choose “MENA” instead
    April 29, 2023
  • IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
    Ending Israel’s occupation might save its democracy
    April 26, 2023
  • راى حنانيا. Ray Hanania
    Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
    March 18, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, unveils a series of multi language videos to help property tax owners recover overpayments. This one is in Arabic
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
    May 18, 2023
  • Amnesty International ... www.Amnesty.org
    Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
    May 10, 2023
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • property tax info event
    Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community
    May 5, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Anti-Arab anti-peace U.S. Senator Robert Menendez who has led the fight to censor American who criticize the brutality and human rights violations of Israel
    Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
    May 10, 2023
  • US Border Notice. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP):
    May 2, 2023
  • Ald. Raymond Lopez and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas receive the American Arab Chamber of Commerce 2021 Action Award from Hassan Nijem for their support of the Arab and Muslim American community,
    County Treasurer Maria Pappas celebrates Arab Heritage Month with business and community leaders
    April 27, 2023
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

POPULAR POSTS

  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President? Who will choose the next Lebanese President? By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Since September of last year the Lebanese parliament has ... posted on May 12, 2023
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi will host a ... posted on May 5, 2023
  • Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Arab-American influencers Furrha Family share secrets of their success Salem Furrha and his eight children @theFurrhaFamily on TikTok and Instagram represent ... posted on February 6, 2021
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and ... posted on May 10, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas ... posted on May 18, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP): AHRC Holds Another “Meet, Greet & Open Conversation” Forum Hosting the US Border Patrol (CBP): The American Human Rights Council ... posted on May 2, 2023

Recent Posts

  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas releases video in Arabic to help recover property tax overpayments
  • Who will choose the next Lebanese President?
  • Global: Amnesty International calls for universal social protection, as overlapping crises leave hundreds of millions facing disaster
  • Menendez and Risch condemn Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
  • Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi hosts property Tax workshop for Arab community
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Ziyad Food item
    Essential recipes and ingredients during Ramadan 
    April 4, 2023
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme