Commentary: The two-state solution must be implemented with or without Mr Trump

It was a conference held in the midst of heightening tension and looming political apprehensions over one of the most sensitive manmade crisis ever – the Two State solution on Israel-Palestine conflict. However, the conference held at Paris last Sunday bringing some seventy countries under one platform is seemingly all set to send a strong warning to the US president – elect that – only a two-state solution can pragmatically solve the Israel-Palestinian crisis with a clear signal, if necessary, the EU will diverge from the US on Israel policy. But neither the Israelis, the Palestinians nor any representative of Mr. Trump were present at Sunday’s meeting. The absence of all three major parties required to realise a peace deal is a clear indication of a gloomy future. On the contrary, if there were only these three parties without any other countries present in Paris, prospective peace, perhaps could be hoped.
 
Despite Israeli objections to the conference, and disapproval from the Trump team we don’t want to see the conference to be a mere symbolic show of support for the two-state solution, but in fact, a chance to set out practical incentives for peace. In a deeper sense the conference outcome should help in Palestinian capacity-building coupled with aiding the civil society to promote dialogue. Yet, fearing the incoming of a radical right wing US government hope for peace has not only becoming slimmer but drifting Israel away from a prospective path to peace. Mr. Trump’s selection of his personal lawyer David Friedman as the next Ambassador to Israel has added even further fear to quash any positive outcome of the conference too.

In the light of recent developments, the future of the Middle East peace process now seems uncertain to the extreme. This week, the Israeli premiere not only labelled the conference as ‘rigged’ but further added – support for Israel in the incoming Trump administration means the meeting has little significance. It isn’t a mere foolhardy declaration of future US support but a clear intention to defy any future condition in the peace making process.

We don’t know what beholds for the future of Palestine, but we know, any attempt to legitimise the illegally occupied Palestinian territory and Jerusalem is likely to tempt more bloodshed. If this ominous happening takes place under American blessings then we are only to see another warmonger US President in the making.

The international Paris Conference comes as support for the two-state solution which is fast waning domestically as well as internationally. The million dollar question, however, for how long will figurative summits and conferences take place in the name of brokering Israel-Palestine peace? If it is essentially the American position to be the determining factor to establish peace between the two then what’s the need for arranging such expensive conferences in lavish cities inviting other countries to participate in them?

It’s time, that the seventy countries including the major EU powers comes to a decisive conclusion to end five decades of misery, deaths and destruction inflicted upon an innocent Muslim State with Mr. Trump on board. The UN resolutions affirm the illegality of settlements in West Bank, including East Jerusalem and against the backdrop of this truth the incoming US President should act in accordance to it, otherwise the value of such resolutions become nil.

To end with, the solution of two states is the only way forward and the only solution that will answer both sides’ aspirations and legitimate rights.