Trump draws red line: Blocks Israel’s West Bank annexation, sends peace warning | World News

Washington: President Donald Trump opposes Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank, a senior White House official said. He emphasized that keeping the West Bank stable helps keep Israel safe. This approach also fits with the United States’ goal of ensuring long-term peace in the region.

The reaffirmation of this stance comes at a time of rising tensions after Israel’s security cabinet approved controversial measures that expand Israel’s authority in the region. The move also sparked international criticism.

The new measures approved by Israeli ministers include steps that will make it easier for settlers to buy land in the West Bank and expand Israel’s enforcement powers in areas under nominal Palestinian control. These changes have been portrayed by critics as major moves towards deeper integration of the region, raising fears of unilateral annexation and undermining hopes for a negotiated two-state solution.

Arab and Muslim-majority countries responded strongly. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey made statements condemning Israel’s decisions, explaining them in the harshest language and calling for respect for international law and the rights of Palestinians.

The collective denunciation from foreign ministries in the region highlighted the shared concern that expanding control in the West Bank could escalate tensions and deepen instability.

Officials in Washington emphasized that the US position has not changed to support annexation, despite internal pressures in Israel’s political environment. The White House noted that a secure and stable West Bank is part of a lasting peace strategy and that any attempt to unilaterally redraw borders could harm diplomatic efforts.

Trump’s reaffirmation echoes comments he made during a series of interviews and discussions with regional leaders last year. He has publicly warned that if Israel goes ahead with its annexation plans, it risks losing critical American support and could strain ties with Arab countries that work closely with the United States for broader Middle East stability.

Analysts said his administration insists that approach is central to U.S. policy.

The background of this policy stance is the ongoing debate in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament; Some lawmakers here are putting forward bills aimed at formalizing the annexation. These efforts have encountered resistance not only from foreign capitals, but also from Israeli political circles, where the leadership is wary of escalating the conflict with key allies.

Observers point out that formal annexation of the West Bank would have far-reaching consequences, potentially ending hopes for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and being contrary to well-established principles of international law. In 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israeli settlements and the broader occupation illegal. The legal view was shared by many countries that continued to press for a two-state outcome.

In the face of these developments, diplomatic pressure is also increasing. The United Kingdom added its voice urging Israel to roll back expansionary measures, stressing that unilateral actions changing the status of occupied territories are unacceptable and could jeopardize peace efforts.

While regional capitals and global capitals sound warnings, the White House’s stance remains a mainstay in Washington’s diplomatic engagement. The emphasis is on maintaining security, promoting dialogue and preventing actions that could disrupt fragile ceasefire agreements in other areas, such as Gaza.