Senior political figures and media commentators in Israel reacted to statements made by US President Donald Trump on settlements and his seeming ambivalence to a one or two-state solution during his press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bayit Hayeudit (Jewish Home) leader Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu’s right wing coalition partner, seemed positive, saying : “The Palestinian flag was today lowered from the mast and replaced with the Israeli flag. The Palestinians already have two states: in Gaza and in Jordan. There is no need for a third one. I congratulate the Prime Minister for making the right decision, showing leadership and courage, and fortifying Israel’s security and sovereignty. Now we must look ahead and shape a new strategic approach in light of the new reality.”

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog from the Zionist Union took a different view when he declared: “Every Israeli should be concerned by the possibility of one state between the sea and Jordan, meaning there is no Jewish State. It’s a disaster that must be fought in every way possible.”

In the Israeli media, commentator Nahum Barnea in daily Yediot Ahronot writes that ‘’the ease with which Trump threw out decades of American support for the two-state solution shouldn’t appall us. In his simplistic and blunt manner, he put his finger on the heart of the problem: If the two sides want two states, let them agree about two states; if the two sides want one state, let them agree about one state. America shouldn’t lecture them on what’s good for them. If he were slightly more informed he might have realized that the two sides, in practice, have chosen a third option: not to agree”.

In daily Ma‎ariv, Ben Caspit notes “what we saw yesterday was primarily a planned ceremony, an orchestrated show of friendship, and evasive declarations that can attest to nothing as to what will happen on the Washington-Jerusalem-Ramallah axis in the years to come. Though he suggests that members of the Israeli right wing ought to temper their enthusiasm, “a president who declares right at his first public press conference with the Prime Minister of Israel that it would be best to hold back on the settlements for a little bit cannot be a friend of the settlements.”

“The warning light that should be flashing for the left is the fact that for the first time since the concept of the two-state solution was invented, an American president openly declared and demonstrated his total indifference to it. Two states, one state, whatever,” said Trump. He added: “I’m very happy with the one that both parties like.”

Concluding; “There is nothing to be grateful for at this stage, and nothing to be happy about. We are still far from knowing where Trump wants to go, with whom and when. Since no agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will be attained, the “dream deal” that Trump dreams about will not happen, and the “regional arrangement” will not happen, the real question is in what sort of mood Trump will perceive these failures and what he will do when he faces the broken pieces. Anyone who knows how to answer that question is welcome to take bets.”

Sima Kadmon in Yediot Ahronot that “there can be ‎no disputing that Netanyahu received exactly what he wanted from the American president. One state, two states—‎what difference does it make? That is precisely the attitude that Netanyahu would like to see the American President adopt. Someone who doesn’‎t have the foggiest clue what he is talking about”.

In Israel Hayom, Boaz Bismuth writes: ‘’Even though Netanyahu went to Washington mostly to listen, he also must be heard. This is an administration in the process of formation, and it is very friendly to Israel -- much more is agreed upon than disagreed upon (and the disagreements are tactical). Israel's rivals are also aware of the fact that the Trump administration is very far from the Obama administration and will not stand against Israel, certainly not in public and as defiantly as the 44th president did. Confidence-building measures are unnecessary, and progress will be based more on the deep friendship between the two countries and two leaders.’’