AIPAC just dropped the two-state solution from its website

This after Trump's top adviser said that he doesn't see "settlements as an obstacle for peace"

Just a week after Donald Trump's surprise win, America's most powerful pro-Israel organization has dropped the two-state solution from the talking points of its "peace process" page.  

Previously, the page had stated that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) “strongly supports a two-state solution and works tirelessly to bring peace to the region.”

AIPAC denies that the change to the website signals a policy shift, but some pro-Palestine advocates have sounded alarm bells, especially since it comes at the heels of Donald Trump's presidential election. 

Trump's Middle East advisor Jason Greenblatt has said that Trump does not want to "impose" the two-state solution on negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He has also said that Trump would not take a stance on Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank. It's a position he reiterated only a few days ago. 

Mr. Trump does not view the settlements as being an obstacle for peace,Greenblatt told Israel’s Army Radio earlier this week.

The move marks a parting of ways with decades of bipartisan US foreign policy that calls for an independent Palestinian state.  

In July, the Republican National Platform dropped any reference to the two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

Then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted that the new Republican platform is the "most pro-Israel of all time" 


So, does this spell the end of the two-state solution?

Some members of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu seem to think so. 

“Trump’s victory is an opportunity for Israel to immediately retract the notion of a Palestinian state in the center of the country, which would hurt our security and just cause,” Education Minister Naftali Bennett said.

“This is the position of the president-elect, as written in his platform, and it should be our policy, plain and simple.”

Some analysts say that the modification to AIPAC's website reflects a move to "seize the opportunity" to get on Trump's tidal wave. 

"AIPAC may simply be moving to seize the opportunity of the election of Donald Trump to reveal Israel’s real agenda: permanent annexation of the occupied West Bank," writes Palestine pundit Ali Abunimah. 

Meanwhile, Israel is on the brink of a settlement building spree in occupied East Jerusalem, with 7,000 illegal housing units about to be approved by Jerusalem City Hall. 

The links to Trump's election could not be more stark. 

Now that Trump [won], I hope will put Jerusalem as a priority, I hope we are heading for a fresh start,” said Meir Turgeman, head of Jerusalem's Municipality Planning unit. 

"“All these plans in Givat Hamatos, Gilo, Ramat Shlomo, all these have been waiting for two years at least.” 


Sting sang 'Inshallah' to reopen this Paris concert hall one year after the terrorist attacks

The ballad is a tribute to refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

One year after a terrorist attack left 89 people dead in Paris' historic Bataclan concert venue, the theater was reopened by Sting debuting his new song "Inshallah."

The ballad is a tribute to refugees escaping their war-torn countries. Describing the Arabic title – which means "God willing" – as "magnificent," the English singer drew loud applause from the audience.

Sting's performance highlighted the importance of coming together and not allowing tragedy to divide society. In the wake of the attack and others throughout Europe, refugees have often been collectively blamed despite the fact that most of the attackers were born and raised in Europe.

Sting melodically sang the word "inshallah" repeatedly as the chorus of the ballad. The song shares a somber but hopeful message, referencing the plight of refugees crossing the Mediterranean to find safety.

"As the wind blows, growing colder, against the sad boats, as we flee, anxious eyes, search in darkness, with the rising of the sea."

The song's chorus calls for peace of mind in the midst of turmoil.

"Inshallah, inshallah, if it be your will, it shall come to pass. Inshallah, Inshallah, if it be your will."

During the concert, Sting was also accompanied by French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf and by Algerian artist Cheb Mami.

Speaking to the audience in French, Sting offered a message of hope and moving forward in the face of tragedy.

"In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile," he said, according to USA Today

"First, to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theater represents. In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life-affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them."

Bataclan Paris France
The Bataclan concert hall in Paris. Source: Flickr/patrick janicek

On Nov. 13 of last year, gunmen claiming to be affiliated with ISIS conducted a series of coordinated attacks throughout the French capital, leaving 130 people dead. The largest number of these casualties were at the Bataclan, where a concert by the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal was underway.

Over the past year, the venue has been entirely renovated. Sting's concert marks the Bataclan's official reopening since the attack.