- Fontaine, Singh: Is America no longer the Mideast’s great power?
- Trump will not press “two state solution” with Netanyahu
Palestinians reacted with anger and bafflement on Wednesday after the Trump administration apparently backed away from insisting that having two states — one for Israelis, one for Palestinians — was the only viable solution to the decades-long Middle East conflict. – New York Times
The Trump administration’s shift away from calling for a separate Palestinian state as part of a peace deal with Israel brings U.S. policy closer to the stance of the Jewish settler movement but puts it at odds with longstanding positions of European, Arab and other allies. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
In the days leading up to Mr. Netanyahu’s first meeting with Mr. Trump as president, and Mr. Friedman’s confirmation hearings, which are expected to start on Thursday, the mood in Beit El seemed to encapsulate all the uncertainty and contradictions manifested by the new administration. – New York Times
Editorial: A U.S.-Israeli deal limiting construction to existing communities close to Israel’s borders would have the practical effect of preserving the possibility of side-by-side states. If Mr. Trump really wants to broker a deal, he should start by pressing Mr. Netanyahu for such a commitment. – Washington Post