No US Backing for Annexation, Trump Tells Israel

Donald Trump has made it clear to Israel that there will be no US backing for an annexation of the West Bank. In a decisive statement from the Oval Office, the president declared, “I will not allow it,” effectively ending speculation about his position and delivering a setback to the Israeli far-right’s expansionist ambitions.
The announcement came at a sensitive time, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arriving in New York for a UN speech. The Israeli leader now faces the task of explaining this public opposition from his main ally to his nationalist coalition, which has been pushing hard for annexation as a means of preventing Palestinian statehood.
Trump’s statement is seen as a direct result of an intense international lobbying campaign. European allies, after recognizing Palestine, were worried Trump would retaliate by recognizing Israeli settlements. Their concerns, along with urgent warnings from Arab nations about the potential for regional instability, were communicated forcefully to the White House.
The West Bank remains the most contested piece of territory in the conflict. The presence of 700,000 Israeli settlers has created a complex and fragmented landscape, making a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult to achieve. The international community overwhelmingly views these settlements as illegal under international law.
This development is also occurring as the US ramps up its diplomatic efforts to end the nearly two-year Gaza war. A 21-point peace plan has been circulated among key Middle Eastern countries. Trump suggested that talks were progressing, expressing optimism about a deal to return hostages and bring an end to a conflict that has caused a massive humanitarian crisis and over 65,000 deaths.