TL/DR –
President Trump has stated that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, following the idea being raised among members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The statement followed reports that Trump had privately assured Arab and predominantly Muslim leaders that he would oppose any attempt by Israel to annex the occupied territory. Israel has governed the West Bank since 1967 and the territory is home to millions of Palestinians and hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers, and annexation could make creating a Palestinian state virtually impossible.
President Trump Opposes West Bank Annexation
President Trump announced on Thursday that he won’t allow Israel to annex the West Bank, responding to discussions within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government about the move. “I will not permit Israel to annex the West Bank,” Trump stated during an Oval Office event. “It’s time to stop now.”
This comes following reports that President Trump privately assured Arab and majority-Muslim leaders that he would resist any Israeli efforts to annex the contested region.
Recently, numerous Western nations including France, the UK, and Canada recognized a Palestinian state. This led Netanyahu to suggest a reaction of some kind. There has been pressure from hardline members of Netanyahu’s government for annexation of the West Bank, although Netanyahu’s definitive stance remains uncertain.
The West Bank is home to millions of Palestinians and hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers. Israel has controlled the area since 1967, with governance split between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli military. If Israel formally annexes this territory, it could hinder the formation of an independent Palestinian state. The move could also disrupt relations with U.S.-allied Arab nations working to foster better ties with Israel.
Netanyahu has dismissed the idea of forming a Palestinian state, terming the mounting pressure as an “absurd prize for terrorism”. His government has come under international criticism for its approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict that has led to mass destruction and over 60,000 deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Despite the high stakes, Trump continues to encourage Israel and Hamas towards a ceasefire deal that could see the release of remaining Israeli hostages, but such an agreement remains elusive.
Crisis in the Middle East
For more on the Middle East crisis, visit CBS News.
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