In a significant departure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s ambitions, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would not permit Israel to annex the occupied West Bank. Speaking to reporters prior to Netanyahu’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump stated, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank… It’s time to stop now.” When pressed on whether he discussed this stance with Netanyahu, Trump remained vague but reiterated his opposition to annexation.

Analysts expressed skepticism regarding the President’s commitment. Mouin Rabbani, a non-resident fellow at the Qatar-based Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, described Trump’s declaration as a “positive” development but warned that his follow-through remains uncertain.

Trump’s comments appear to position his administration against the far-right elements of Israel’s government, which have made West Bank annexation a key political goal. In July, Israel’s Knesset voted in favor of a non-binding motion supporting this annexation.

As tensions rise, particularly in the context of expanding settlements and ongoing conflicts, Trump briefly referenced the dire situation in Gaza, mentioning discussions with various Arab leaders aimed at addressing the crisis. The implications of a shift in U.S. policy may lead to significant political ramifications within Israel, especially among far-right parties in Netanyahu’s coalition.



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