Trump steps back from commitment to two-state solution in Middle East

President Donald Trump abandoned America´s commitment to searching for a two-state solution to decades of fighting between israelis and palestinians.

Following a face-to-face meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said: "I'm looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like," Trump told a joint news conference with Netanyahu. "I can live with either one."

It was the first encounter between the two leaders since the US 2016 elections.

Trump´s change of tack stood in stark contrast with a decades-long policy of the majority of the international community.

He also called on palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, historically one of Tel Aviv's key demands.

However, during the press conference following their talks Trump surprised some observers by calling for curbs on Israeli settlement construction activities in the West Bank.

"I'd like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit," he said.

Netanyahu responded by saying settlements were “not the core of the conflict”.

Their press conference at the White House concluded with Trump telling Israel´s PM that "both sides will have to make compromises".