Two-state solution "light-years away" as Norway hosts

When Norway invites to a meeting about a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine issue, the situation is anything but hopeful. They want a solution that is light-years away, says political scientist and Middle East expert Anders Persson.

» Published: January 15 2025

Two-state solution "light-years away" as Norway hosts
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

It's been over 31 years since the Oslo process was concluded in the Norwegian capital. The ultimate goal of the historic peace effort was a two-state solution: a Palestinian state alongside the Israeli one. When around 80 representatives from different countries and organizations gather in Norway today, the goal seems farther away than ever.

It seems that the idealists are meeting in Oslo and the realists in Doha, says Anders Persson, referring to the parallel talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, which are reportedly nearing a final stage in Qatar's capital.

He is not optimistic about the Norway meeting. The solution advocated by, among others, Norway, the EU, and the Arab League – i.e., a Palestinian state including the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip – is very far away, he says.

Perhaps one could imagine a downscaled, less grandiose variant, such as the plan (Donald) Trump presented in 2020.

Israel dismisses

According to that plan, Israel would retain most of East Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and the Israeli settlements on the West Bank. The Palestinians would gain control over 70 percent of the West Bank, the entire Gaza Strip, and smaller parts of East Jerusalem. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it "the deal of the century"; the Palestinians' President Mahmoud Abbas called it "the slap of the century".

It's possible that Trump will get a flying start if the ceasefire takes hold and he then returns with his own, dusted-off version of a two-state solution. Seen that way, it could be exciting with a second Trump period, says Persson.

Among the participants in Norway are, according to AFP, the Palestinians' Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, the UN's Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland, and UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini. It is unclear whether the US will participate, and neither Israel nor Hamas has announced its presence.

It raises huge question marks about what can actually be achieved when the leading parties, at least two of them, are not there, says Persson.

"Irony"

Today's meeting is the third held within the framework of a new global alliance for a two-state solution, after one in Riyadh in October and one in Brussels in November.

Anders Persson calls the timing of the meeting – in the midst of a raging war – "an irony of great proportions". At the same time, he sees it as a way to signal that there are many countries interested in a two-state solution in some form.

But the challenge has always been to get from A to Ö. And that challenge remains, as far as I can see.

Here are some of the decisions regarding the Israel-Palestine issue made during Donald Trump's previous term as US President:

Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital and relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Support for Israel's annexation of the Jordan Valley and settlements on occupied Palestinian territory, which contravenes international law.

Freezing of aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Withdrawal from the international nuclear agreement JCPOA with Israel's archenemy Iran.

Recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Promotion of the so-called Abraham Accords on normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan.

Closure of the Palestinian umbrella organization PLO's office in Washington DC.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump's Greenland Interest Sparks Sleepless
3 MIN READ

Trump's Greenland Interest Sparks Sleepless Nights for Some Locals

Canada's New PM Carney Declares
1 MIN READ

Canada's New PM Carney Declares Shift in US Relations

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money
1 MIN READ

Seized Superyacht Linked to Money Laundering Fetches 108 Million

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression
1 MIN READ

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression Towards Guyana

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked
1 MIN READ

Judge Orders Preservation of Leaked Chat on Yemen Discussions

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation
1 MIN READ

King Charles Hospitalized for Observation Due to Treatment Side Effects

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape
1 MIN READ

Belgium Probes 40+ Drink-Spiking Rape Cases in Kortrijk Bars

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to
1 MIN READ

Denmark Eases Health Criteria to Boost Defense Recruitment

Four Parties Form New Coalition
1 MIN READ

Four Parties Form New Coalition in Greenland's Government

Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for
1 MIN READ

Prosecutors Seek Seven-Year Sentence for Sarkozy in Libyan Funds Case

Just Stop Oil Ends High-Profile
2 MIN READ

Just Stop Oil Ends High-Profile Protests After Achieving Goals

Putin Warns US Intent on
1 MIN READ

Putin Warns US Intent on Greenland is Serious

Zelensky Urges US to Respond
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Urges US to Respond to Alleged Russian Ceasefire Violations

Five Injured in Central Amsterdam
1 MIN READ

Five Injured in Central Amsterdam Knife Attack

UN Warns Gaza's Food Supplies
1 MIN READ

UN Warns Gaza's Food Supplies May Run Out in Two Weeks

US Health Authority Restructures, Cutting
1 MIN READ

US Health Authority Restructures, Cutting 10,000 Jobs

Macron Announces International Support Force
2 MIN READ

Macron Announces International Support Force Plan for Ukraine

Pope Francis Plans to Deliver
1 MIN READ

Pope Francis Plans to Deliver Easter Blessing Despite Health Concerns

Swede Among Survivors After Submarine
2 MIN READ

Swede Among Survivors After Submarine Sinks in Egypt's Red Sea

Bosnia Seeks Interpol Help to
1 MIN READ

Bosnia Seeks Interpol Help to Arrest Bosnian Serb Leader Dodik

China's Military Asserts Taiwan Will
1 MIN READ

China's Military Asserts Taiwan Will Never Be Recognized as a Country

Turkey's Protests Escalate as Police
2 MIN READ

Turkey's Protests Escalate as Police Clash with Demonstrators and Media Restrictions Tighten

South Korean Fires Claim 27
1 MIN READ

South Korean Fires Claim 27 Lives as Dry Conditions Persist

Protests Erupt in Israel Over
2 MIN READ

Protests Erupt in Israel Over Netanyahu's Judicial Reform Law

German and Austrian Ministers Cancel
1 MIN READ

German and Austrian Ministers Cancel Syria Trip Over Terror Threat

NATO Clarifies Status of Missing
1 MIN READ

NATO Clarifies Status of Missing US Soldiers in Lithuania Exercise

Hamas Spokesperson and Family of
1 MIN READ

Hamas Spokesperson and Family of Six Killed in Gaza Strikes

Grandparents of Missing French Toddler
1 MIN READ

Grandparents of Missing French Toddler Released After Questioning

Europe's Security Plans for Ukraine
3 MIN READ

Europe's Security Plans for Ukraine Hinge on US Support

Lions Rescued from Ukraine Find
1 MIN READ

Lions Rescued from Ukraine Find New Home in England Sanctuary

Ukraine and Russia Dispute Claims
2 MIN READ

Ukraine and Russia Dispute Claims of Energy Ceasefire

North Korea Sends 3,000 More
1 MIN READ

North Korea Sends 3,000 More Troops to Russia, Reports South Korea

Trump Officials' Data Leaked Online,
2 MIN READ

Trump Officials' Data Leaked Online, Potential Foreign Hack Suspected

South Sudan's Vice President Riek
1 MIN READ

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Arrested, UN Warns of Conflict

Macron Proposes European Force to
2 MIN READ

Macron Proposes European Force to Deter Russian Aggression in Ukraine

Giant Claw Discovery Reveals New
1 MIN READ

Giant Claw Discovery Reveals New Dinosaur Species in Mongolia

Poland Moves to End Asylum
1 MIN READ

Poland Moves to End Asylum Applications Citing Security Concerns

Marius Borg Høiby Faces New
1 MIN READ

Marius Borg Høiby Faces New Sexual Assault Allegation

Trump Maintains Trust in Officials
2 MIN READ

Trump Maintains Trust in Officials After Chat Leak Involving Yemen

Four American Soldiers Die in
1 MIN READ

Four American Soldiers Die in Lithuania During Military Exercise