U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that he is open to a one-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict quickly drew sharp criticism from Palestinian groups and personalities. The president made the remark at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

The two-state policy would allow Palestine to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza now being occupied by Israel. On the other hand, the one-state solution envisions a sole state of Israel on the disputed territory where Palestinians will be allowed to reside but without voting rights.

Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) described the one-state solution as "apartheid," adding that the only alternative to the two-state solution that is acceptable to them is the establishment of a sovereign democratic state wherein all Palestinians are given full and equal rights.

"Contrary to Netanyahu's plan of one state and two systems, apartheid, the only alternative to two sovereign and democratic states on the 1967 border is one single secular and democratic state with equal rights for everyone, Christians, Muslims, and Jews, on all of historic Palestine," he told reporters after meeting with John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons of the U.K. Parliament.

He added that the two-state solution is already a "painful compromise for them" as it will give to Israel "over 78% of historic Palestine" but they are willing to adopt it, being an international formula. He pointed out that there are almost six million Palestinians living under Israeli control in all of historic Palestine, while almost six million Palestinians live in exile.

The Jerusalem Post quotes PLO spokesperson Nasser al-Kidwa as saying that "the alternative to a two-state solution is painful bloodshed." He also considers the one-state solution as an outright rejection of the peace process. "This will not lead to the disappearance of a Palestinian state, and will not lead to the crushing of the prospect of a Palestinian state."