Clinton: Palestinians ‘Deserve’ a State of Their Own

TAPPER: "As a former secretary of state, I really am interested in your views on the foreign policy issue that has emerged on the Republican side that I’m sure you have opinions about. Donald Trump was asked this week about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and he said — quote — “Let me be sort of a neutral guy. I don’t want to say whose fault it is. I don’t think it helps.” Now, Senator Ted Cruz, on the other hand, said — quote — “I have no intention of being neutral.” He would be standing by Israel. You’re a former secretary of state. What do you think about those answers? Where would you be?"
CLINTON: "Well, I think both of them missed the mark. First of all, Israel is our partner, our ally. We have longstanding and important ties with Israelis going back to the formation of the state of Israel. I will defend and do everything I can to support Israel, particularly as the neighborhood around it seems to become more dangerous and difficult. I also believe the Palestinians deserve to have a state of their own. That’s why I support a two-state solution. That’s what I have worked on. That’s what I tried to move forward when I was secretary, and holding three very intense conversations between the prime minister of Israel and the president of the Palestinian Authority. Those are not mutually exclusive. I happen to think that moving toward a two-state solution, trying to provide more support for the aspirations of the Palestinian people is in the long-term best interests of Israel, as well as the region, and, of course, the people themselves. So, I don’t think either of the answers you just relayed to me really grapple with the challenges that we have to continue to work to overcome."