Trump Warns Israel Against West Bank Annexation
<p>US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Israel, declaring that any move to annex the occupied West Bank would lead to a total withdrawal of American support. The president’s remarks came amid growing tension following Israel’s parliamentary vote to advance two controversial annexation bills.</p><p>Speaking in an interview with <i>Time</i> magazine, Trump stated, “It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.” His comments underline Washington’s growing concern that the move could derail peace initiatives and strain ties with Arab allies.</p><h3>Israeli Bills Spark International Backlash</h3><p>On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers narrowly voted 25–24 in favour of advancing two bills proposing the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Although the measure passed its preliminary stage, analysts say it is unlikely to survive the remaining rounds of voting in the 120-seat Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has publicly opposed unilateral annexation, still wields the political tools necessary to stall or block the bills.</p><p>Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar clarified that the government had “not decided to advance the annexation bills at this stage,” citing the need to preserve the progress of Trump’s multi-stage Gaza peace plan. Nevertheless, the vote has triggered sharp criticism from both regional and global actors.</p><p>Settlement construction across the West Bank has expanded significantly since Netanyahu’s ultranationalist coalition assumed power in 2022, adding to long-standing friction between Israel and the Palestinians.</p><h3>Arab Nations Condemn Annexation Efforts</h3><p>Palestinian factions and several Arab states quickly condemned the Israeli move, calling it a violation of international law and an act of aggression against Palestinian sovereignty. Hamas denounced Israel’s “frantic attempts to annex West Bank territories as illegitimate and null and void.” The Palestinian Authority also issued a statement asserting that “Israel will never have sovereignty over the West Bank.”</p><p>Neighboring Arab nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey, joined in condemning the measure. Their unified stance reflects deep regional opposition to any expansion of Israeli control over Palestinian territories, a move many fear could spark renewed unrest across the Middle East.</p><h3>Washington’s Divided Response</h3><p>Within the United States, the reaction was equally forceful. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the administration “would not be supportive of that right now,” adding that any annexation attempt could “threaten the peace deal” that Washington has been working to advance.</p><p>Vice-President J.D. Vance was even more direct, calling the Knesset vote “an insult” to the Trump administration’s foreign policy. “If the vote was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt,” Vance told reporters before departing Tel Aviv. He reaffirmed that the official stance of the US government remains firm: “The West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”</p><h3>Political Tensions Within Israel</h3><p>The annexation proposal has also exposed divisions within Israel’s political establishment. Netanyahu’s Likud party boycotted the vote, distancing itself from the far-right members of his coalition who supported the bills. While proponents argue that applying Israeli sovereignty to settlements strengthens national security, critics warn it could isolate Israel diplomatically and intensify conflict with the Palestinians.</p><p>As US diplomats continue shuttle visits between Jerusalem and Arab capitals, Washington has made it clear that stability in Gaza and renewed peace talks remain the priority. Secretary Rubio emphasized that “any unilateral action” risks undoing months of delicate negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and rebuilding trust between both sides.</p><h3>A Fragile Moment for Middle East Peace</h3><p>Trump’s warning comes at a critical moment for the region, where fragile ceasefires and long-stalled peace efforts hang in the balance. His statement serves as both a caution to Israel and a reassurance to Arab nations that Washington remains committed to its promises.</p><p>As diplomatic pressure mounts, the fate of the annexation bills will likely depend on whether Israel’s leadership values short-term political gains over long-term strategic alliances. For now, Trump’s message is unmistakably clear: any move toward annexing the West Bank could cost Israel its most vital ally.</p>