In a significant move, Donald Trump has rebuffed the Israeli far-right by declaring his opposition to the annexation of the West Bank. The president’s statement that “it’s not going to happen” is a direct blow to ultra-nationalist members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government who have been advocating for the absorption of the territory.
The announcement puts Netanyahu, who had just arrived in New York for a UN address, in a very difficult position. He must now navigate between the demands of his domestic political allies and the explicit prohibition from the United States, his country’s most vital supporter.
This decisive stance from the White House appears to be a direct result of a powerful international lobbying campaign. Allies like the UK and France had been deeply worried that Trump would recognize Israeli settlements in retaliation for their recognition of Palestine. Their diplomatic efforts, combined with warnings from Arab states, seem to have successfully shifted US policy.
The core of the issue is the future of the West Bank, where 700,000 Israeli settlers now reside. These settlements, deemed illegal by most of the world, have been a persistent obstacle to a two-state solution. The recent approval of the E1 settlement plan has further inflamed tensions and drawn widespread condemnation.
This development is set against the backdrop of a major US push for a Gaza peace deal. A 21-point plan has been shared with regional powers to end the nearly two-year war. Trump spoke hopefully of a resolution, stating that recent talks were focused on returning hostages and establishing a durable peace to end the conflict and its catastrophic human cost.