Pictured Above: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and President Donald Trump (left) with White House adviser Jared Kushner (center) at the start of a meeting in Jerusalem in May. Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO.

(JNS.org) The Trump administration is reportedly finalizing a draft of an Israeli-Palestinian peace proposal based upon a two-state solution, The New York Times reported Saturday. 

According to the report, U.S. officials said the plan could be finalized by early next year.

“We are not going to put an artificial timeline on the development or presentation of any specific ideas and will also never impose a deal. Our goal is to facilitate, not dictate, a lasting peace agreement to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians and security across the region,” said The Trump administration’s international negotiations representative, Jason Greenblatt.

Both Israel and the Palestinians have praised the Trump administration’s efforts. 

“We do believe this is a historic opportunity, and we will spare no effort to support President Trump’s investment in a better future,” said Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Authority’s envoy to the U.S.

“[U.S. officials] are trying to think out of the box,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week.

Last month, Israel’s Channel 2 reported that the White House would soon unveil a proposal for a regional peace deal in the Middle East, aimed at creating a foundation for “regional normalization” between Israel and Arab states, with less emphasis on direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

In February, President Donald Trump seemingly broke with decades of U.S. foreign policy by not firmly committing to support for a two-state solution.

“I’m looking at two states and one state. I am very happy with the one that both parties like...If Israel and the Palestinians are happy, then I’m happy with the one they like the best,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Netanyahu.

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