The US House of Representatives voted for a resolution expressing support for the two-state solution, which is the longstanding plan for two separate Israeli and Palestinian states existing side-by-side. They also oppose Jerusalem annexing territory in the West Bank.

It was a non-binding resolution and it was a vote targeted at the Trump administration’s reversal of US policy regarding the legality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The resolution passed 226-188, and divided according to party, with most Democrats voting in favour, and most Republicans opposed. Even Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a staunch Israeli supporter, said that it is a ‘restatement of the US’s policy of supporting the two-state solution.’

This resolution could not come at a worse time for both US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders are being threatened with impeachment and if their respective parliaments succeed in ousting them, the two greatest opponents of a two-state solution will be removed from office.

The US has been committed to this solution since Bill Clinton was President. At the beginning of his presidency, Trump stated at a joint press conference with Netanyahu that America no longer supported this policy.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister has changed his mind on this proposal during the last decade. In the 2009 Israeli election, he supported a demilitarised Palestinian state. In the 2015 polls, he declared his own policy ‘null and void’, arguing Israel lacked a partner for peace. Earlier this year, Netanyahu pledged to expand Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank in a bid to attract right-wing and nationalist voters.

Even if both leaders survive their impeachment hearings, Trump will find himself at odds with Netanyahu either way. It will be difficult for the US President to gain the House of Representatives’ support for any conclusion to this conflict other than the two-state solution. If Trump survives impeachment and a Republican-controlled Senate kills the House of Representatives’ resolution, the Trump administration’s Israeli policy is safe.

But if Netanyahu is less fortunate in surviving his own impeachment hearing, Israel could face another poll and his rival Benny Gantz, who leads the Blue and White Party, could lead a new government. A survey by Channel 12 discovered that 46 percent of people think Netanyahu should resign. It also found that the Prime Minister would lose to Gantz in a fresh poll.

If the Blue and White leader did succeed the current Prime Minister, it is unlikely he will support a two-state solution. He refused to endorse it during a meeting with EU ambassadors earlier this year, but he believes a settlement with Palestine must be reached. If both the US and Israel oppose a two-state solution, what other options are available to their respective governments?

The one-state solution would grant equal rights to all in a state that would neither be Jewish nor Palestinian in character, but this could lead to instability and civil war.

The Israeli far-right support preserving Israel’s Jewish character by denying full rights to the Palestinians. However, this would mean Israel would no longer be a democratic state.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said at some point Israel will have to choose between being a democratic or a Jewish state. A 2015 survey by the Israel Democratic Institute found that 74 percent of Jewish Israelis believe that decisions central to peace and security should be made by a Jewish majority. That pollster also discovered that Israel should be Jewish, not democratic, first.

This conflict needs a resolution, and fast. The US-Israeli relationship will be tested over the next couple of months thanks to their respective leaders facing impeachment inquiries and the House of Representatives’ support for a two-state solution. But as Nathan Thrall, a Jerusalem-based analyst with the International Crisis Group, told the New York Times, perpetuating the current status quo ‘is the most frightening of possibilities.’

L'articolo US Support for a Two-State Solution May Impact the US-Israeli Relationship proviene da InsideOver.

The preliminary investigations into an impeachment of President Trump have entered a new phase. Yesterday, members of the House voted in favour of formalising their inquiry against President Trump while also establishing rules for the upcoming proceedings.

At the centre of the pre-determinations of impeachment remains the Ukraine affair and Trump’s controversial telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Selenskyj. Democrats in the House of Representatives are investigating whether Trump engaged in a quid pro quo, pressuring Selenskyj into investigating Joe Biden and his son Hunter through the withdrawal of military aid to Ukraine.

While the Democrats have conducted several witness testimonies already, their latest plan could add a new dynamic into a potential impeachment procedure. According to the Washington Post and the New York Times, Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton has been summoned to appear on the Hill for testimony behind closed doors and thereby – so Democrats hope – provide new facts, detrimental to Trump.

Bolton’s testimony is seen as promising in some circles, as he – according to other testimonies – was highly concerned during his time as National Security Advisor about Trump’s attempts to pressure Ukraine. Members of the House now seek to question Bolton himself in order to clarify the questions one witness’ statement had raised regarding Bolton’s concern over Trump’s dealings with Ukraine and the influence of Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

That witness is Fiona Hill, who gave testimony two weeks ago. According to her statement, Bolton called the Ukraine affair a “drug deal”, which Giuliani, whom Bolton called a “hand grenade” was conducting. Trump subsequently fired Bolton in September after different views on a range of international and security issues, such as dealing with North Korea and Iran.

After the reports of Bolton’s potential testimony surfaced, however, his Attorney Charles Cooper stated on Wednesday night that his client would not agree to voluntary questioning on the Hill. Democrats will now likely issue a subpoena to ensure Bolton’s appearance.

Meanwhile, another development has sparked the controversy and fuelled Democrats’ desire to act. One day prior to his testimony in the matter, the top White House official for Russia’s affairs announced his resignation.

Tim Morrison, a high-ranking director for Europe and Russia, was seen as an essential witness in the impeachment investigation. He became a focus of the attention when the acting ambassador to Ukraine cited Morrison as the source for allegations that Trump had urged him to investigate the Bidens. According to witnesses, Morrison is said to have had a bad feeling during the US President’s phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart.

With Morrison out of the picture, for now, the focus will shift to Bolton, and it will be interesting to see the degree of his participation.

While an official impeachment procedure has not been initiated yet, recent developments indicate how intense the probe could get. It remains a risky move for the Democrats even at this stage, and it is telling if John Bolton, who has been persona non grata in liberal circles for ages, is now being discussed as a potential smoking gun.

L'articolo John Bolton to Testify in Looming Impeachment Probe proviene da InsideOver.