Israeli ambassador to US to DNC: Israel is committed to two-state solution

(JNS.org) —  Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer told a gathering of Democrats at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia that Israel still believes that a two-state solution is the best outcome to the conflict with the Palestinians.

Speaking at a lunch on the sidelines of the DNC, Dermer said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is prepared to have a negotiated settlement,” but that he would not settle for an agreement that does not recognize Israel as the Jewish state, and “that will continue the conflict” with Israeli security concerns, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Netanyahu believes “the best solution is a demilitarized Palestinian state” that recognizes the Jewish state, Dermer said, responding to a change in the Republican Platform language that did not include a reference to a two-state solution.

However, Dermer added that “I think the overarching principle here is to respect the sovereign decisions of a fellow democracy.”

This position is in line with a proposal made by advisors to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arguing that the U.S. should take a step back from its traditional role of mediator in the conflict. Trump also believes the U.S. should support a one-state solution, if Israel were to endorse such a path.