Trump dismisses West Bank annexation after Israeli vote
US President Donald Trump has asserted that Israel will take no action regarding the West Bank, following a preliminary Knesset vote on annexation. The move has drawn criticism from senior US officials, who labeled the parliamentary step a "stupid political stunt" that threatens ceasefire efforts and insults American diplomacy.
US President Donald Trump sought to downplay the significance of Israel's preliminary parliamentary vote to annex the West Bank, stating Thursday that Israel is "not going to do anything" with the occupied territory. His comments came amid a diplomatic rift with a key ally, as senior members of his administration openly criticized the Knesset's move during a visit to Israel aimed at shoring up a fragile Gaza ceasefire.
US Administration Pushes Back
Contradicting the legislative action, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance explicitly ruled out any Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Speaking in Tel Aviv, Vance revealed that Israeli officials had characterized the Knesset vote as "symbolic," a description he met with sharp disapproval. "If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it," Vance stated, underscoring Washington's displeasure. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned that the vote endangered the US-proposed Gaza ceasefire deal.
Regional Context and Legal Standing
The parliamentary vote occurred against a backdrop of intensified violence and a clear international legal position. Since October 2023, Israeli military operations across the West Bank have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and detentions. The move also directly contravenes a landmark opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last July, which declared Israel's occupation illegal and demanded the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
A Contradiction in US Policy
The incident highlights a tension within US policy, as President Trump's dismissive assurance that Israel will not act on annexation stands in contrast to his administration's public condemnation of the Knesset's vote. This development emerges as the US attempts to maintain its role as a primary mediator in the region, despite the provocative step by its closest ally that challenges both American diplomacy and international law.
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