For the last year and a half, the world has been asking two critical questions:
- “What will happen the day after the war ends in Gaza?”
- “When will Israelis stop resisting and just accept a sovereign Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank — with its capital in East Jerusalem — already?”
Over the past week, world leaders have been asking:
“How will the destruction of Iran’s nuclear and military machine affect the Palestinians?”
Last night on THE ROSENBERG REPORT on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) — the most-watched Christian TV network in the U.S. — I addressed these questions and pointed to one noteworthy development that hasn’t received much attention from the mainstream media.
CANCELED: TWO-STATE SOLUTION SUMMIT IN NEW YORK
There was supposed to be a two-state solution summit this week in New York at the United Nations, organized by the French, the Saudis, and the Palestinians.
Before Israel’s massive preemptive strike on Iran on Friday the 13th, I had planned on flying to Manhattan and covering the summit.
Indeed, I’d been hoping to meet with and possibly interview some of the key players.
French President Emmanuel Macron was the spearhead of the initiative.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas — also known as Abu Mazen — was scheduled to be there.
So was the Saudi foreign minister.
There was speculation that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) was going to attend, but my sources tell me that was not the case.
Nevertheless, MBS was supportive of the summit, which was supposed to take place at the United Nations from June 17th through the 20th.
WHAT WAS THE TRUE AIM OF THE SUMMIT?
The idea was to gather together and prepare the world for the soon-to-be-announced sovereign Palestinian state — whether Israel was willing to negotiate and agree or not.
The French and the Saudis were going to work with the Palestinians to elevate the Palestinian cause and set into motion the “inevitability” of a sovereign Palestinian state, with or without Israel’s consent.
This, however, would have been a direct violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which require a negotiated solution — not a unilateral move to create such a state.
But it may very well have laid the groundwork for the grand announcement of a sovereign Palestinian state being recognized by dozens and dozens of countries around the world.
Then the summit was canceled.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
So, what happens next?
I want to be clear, as I have been since we launched ALL ARAB NEWS on September 1, 2020:
I love the Palestinian people.
I want the best for them.
I want them to have their human rights.
I want them to have their civil rights.
But I don’t believe they have a right to keep putting Israel in danger.
And it’s important to note that for nearly 80 years, most Israelis have not only supported a two-state solution, but multiple Israeli governments — mostly left-wing, but even right-wing governments led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — have supported it.
Yet Palestinian Arabs have rejected every single two-state solution that has been offered.
LET’S RECAP: A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON
Remember back on November 29th, 1947, when the UN said, “Let’s create two states — a Jewish state that will be Israel and an Arab Palestinian state”?
That was known as The Partition Plan.
What happened?
The world voted on it and approved it.
The Jewish leadership said yes.
It was the Arabs who said no — “hell no.”
Seven Arab countries then attacked Israel on May 14th, 1948, just a few months later.
The Arabs didn’t accept the two-state solution because they wanted one state without Israel.
What’s happened since?
- In 2000, President Bill Clinton brought Yasser Arafat, the head of the Palestinians, and Ehud Barak, the Israeli prime minister at the time, to Camp David.
“Let’s make a deal,” Clinton said.
Barak offered a two-state solution.
But Arafat said no.
Then Arafat went home and started the second intifada, killing thousands of Israelis with suicide bombers and other terrorist attacks. - In 2008, then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered President Abbas a two-state solution — 95% of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and half of the Old City of Jerusalem for a sovereign Palestinian state.
Abbas said no. - In 2009, Prime Minister Netanyahu came to power.
He offered a two-state solution.
The Palestinians didn’t even engage in conversation. - In 2020, President Trump rolled out his “Deal of the Century.”
That included a sovereign — though demilitarized — Palestinian state.
Once again, President Abbas rejected it.
DID YOU KNOW THAT POLLS SHOW MOST PALESTINIANS NO LONGER SUPPORT A TWO-STATE SOLUTION?
So, let’s be clear: aside from the deeply flawed and ultimately fruitless Oslo Accords, the Palestinians have rejected every offer for a two-state solution for eight decades.
Now, before Abbas retires, it appears he wants to impose one.
And the French and Saudis apparently want to help him.
But did you know that most Palestinians today actually reject a two-state solution?
It’s true.
That’s what the polls show us again and again.
The most recent credible survey, published on May 6th, found that almost six in ten Palestinians (57%) oppose the concept of a two-state solution.
Only 40% support the concept.
That’s according to a poll conducted by Dr. Khalil Shikaki, director of the well-respected Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) based in Ramallah, the effective capital of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
A year ago, in June 2024, a slightly higher number of Palestinians (65%) opposed a two-state solution.
Only 32% of Palestinians supported a two-state solution at the time.
True, the majority of Palestinians once enthusiastically embraced the idea.
But that is no longer the case.
What’s more, eight in ten Palestinians want President Abbas to step down and clear the way for new leadership.
Why would Israelis negotiate such a highly controversial and unpopular agreement with such a highly controversial and unpopular leader?
JESUS COMMANDS ME TO LOVE MY NEIGHBORS, AND THE PALESTINIANS ARE MY NEIGHBORS
Again, Lynn and I love the Palestinian people because God created them and loves them and has a plan for them.
We love them because they’re our neighbors — and Jesus commands me to love them.
We have been proactive about meeting, getting to know, listening to, and seeking to understand a wide range of Palestinians — Christians and Muslims, Palestinian Authority leaders, and even the son of one of the founders of Hamas (who has since turned against and actively renounced Hamas).
Two years ago, I was invited to Ramallah to meet with several Palestinian leaders, including Hussein Al-Sheikh, a senior advisor to President Abbas.
Afterward, I wrote about the visit for ALL ARAB NEWS:
In April, Al-Sheikh was appointed vice president of the Palestinian Authority.
When President Abbas eventually steps down, Al-Sheikh will likely become the next leader of the cause.
Some Israelis — indeed, some Evangelicals — think I’m crazy for meeting with Al-Sheikh.
But I couldn’t disagree more.
For me, it was the right thing to do.
Because I’m open to listening to a wide range of opinions and engaging with a wide range of people.
That said, you’re not going to be able to persuade me that after eight decades of Palestinians rejecting every offer for a two-state solution, they and their allies in Europe and the region should now be allowed to impose one on the world.
Especially in the wake of the October 7th invasion and slaughter of 1,200 Israelis by Palestinians in Gaza, and the brutal, bloody, and bitter war that has been raging ever since.
And especially when the majority of Palestinians are against a two-state solution.
EVANGELICALS, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
What is the right answer?
What is the best way for Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully — side by side — in quiet and genuine security?
After the horrors in Gaza and war on all sides, where do we go from here?
I honestly don’t know.
I’m willing to listen to opinions on all sides.
Indeed, I’m eager to.
Sadly, the road ahead is shrouded in thick, black, acrid smoke.
But I can tell you one thing: Hosting a summit at the UN to try to force a “solution” on Israelis and Palestinians who are opposed to that very solution is simply not going to work.
So, I encourage Evangelical Christians in the Middle East and around the globe to pray earnestly and without ceasing that when the shooting stops and the smoke clears, the Lord will reveal His good and perfect will.
Nothing else has worked.
It’s time to stop leaning on worldly wisdom and turn our hearts instead to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
As God Himself encouraged us, “Call to Me and I will answer and show you great and mighty things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
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