A Firm Stance: Trump Forbids Israeli Annexation

Taking a firm and public stance, Donald Trump has announced that he will forbid any attempt by Israel to annex the West Bank. His declaration, “Nope, I will not allow it,” represents a significant moment in US-Middle East policy, directly addressing the concerns of allies who had lobbied against such a move.
The decision provides a sense of relief in allied capitals where officials had feared Trump would do the opposite. There was concern that, in retaliation for their recognition of Palestine, the US President would recognize Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements. This fear prompted a diplomatic scramble that now appears to have succeeded.
For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the timing is particularly challenging. Arriving in New York for a UN address, he is now publicly at odds with his main ally on an issue central to his far-right coalition partners. This public US opposition complicates his political maneuvering at home.
The West Bank is a focal point of the conflict, with approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers living on land captured in 1967. The international community, with few exceptions, considers these settlements illegal and a barrier to a two-state solution. Israel’s continued expansion has been widely condemned for undermining peace prospects.
This policy clarification comes as the US is actively trying to mediate an end to the nearly two-year Gaza war. A new 21-point peace plan has been proposed to regional powers. Trump indicated that his discussions with all parties were productive, emphasizing the urgent need to bring hostages home and establish peace in a region devastated by conflict.