Washington, September 27: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, a pledge that comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters during the signing of executive orders at the Oval Office. He said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but vowed to remain firm, adding, “It’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Israeli officials in recent weeks had floated the possibility of asserting sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, moves pushed by right-wing coalition partners in Netanyahu’s government. The United Arab Emirates has warned that any such step would be a “red line,” while other Arab leaders have voiced similar concerns.
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek all three territories for a future state. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in some 130 settlements in the West Bank, which most countries view as illegal under international law.
The remarks mark a rare departure for Trump, who has long highlighted his close ties with Netanyahu and backed several of Israel’s policies. But the president is facing pressure from Arab states and mounting international opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza.
This week, around 10 countries – including Britain, France, Canada and Australia – recognized Palestinian statehood in an effort to revive long-stalled peace efforts. The United States and Israel strongly oppose the move. Germany, a close ally of Israel, has withheld military exports but stopped short of endorsing recognition.
Netanyahu, who heads Israel’s most nationalist government in its history, has been under growing pressure from his coalition partners to expand Israeli control over occupied territory.
