Two-state solution has been a diplomatic failure — but it may still be the best answer

The real obstacle has been Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been in power for nearly half the time since the idea was floated

'Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving prime minister, has exploited this unwillingness to stand up to him as his governments worked to kill off the prospect of a viable Palestinian state by expanding settlements and tightening the grip of occupation.' Picture: Maya Alleruzzo/AP

The two-state solution could do with a rebrand.

The optimism that greeted the Oslo peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians three decades ago has long since given way to eye rolling and grimaces among politicians and diplomats at any mention of the “peace process”. For years, they have been obliged to pay lip service to the vision while, in practice, many were resigned to the two-state solution as a byword for failure and a cover for inaction. Mostly they tried to avoid talking about it at all.