Washington — Trump takes a rare stand against Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed suggestions that Israel could annex the West Bank, stressing he “will not allow it.” Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “It’s been enough. I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope. It’s not going to happen.”
His remarks came just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York to address the United Nations before travelling to Washington for talks at the White House. The comments mark one of the rare occasions Trump has publicly broken from Netanyahu, despite his long record of support for Israel, both financially and militarily.
A significant political divergence
Trump confirmed he had spoken to Netanyahu earlier in the day but maintained his firm position. “Whether I spoke to him or not, I did, but I’m not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now,” he added.
The statement is particularly notable as Netanyahu, under pressure from his nationalist coalition partners, has resisted calls for Palestinian statehood and continued expanding settlements. Around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, alongside nearly 500,000 Israeli settlers in communities considered illegal under international law.
Reactions from allies and Arab nations
Trump’s stance comes amid a series of recognitions of Palestinian statehood by key US allies, including the United Kingdom, France and Australia. These moves are aimed at reviving the stalled two-state solution.
Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, had previously warned Trump that annexation would be a “red line.” His statement may reassure them, but it also signals a dramatic departure from the perception of his unconditional support for Israel.
Gaza conflict and peace prospects
The US President’s remarks coincided with Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have died during nearly two years of conflict with Hamas. Trump, however, sounded cautiously optimistic about progress towards a ceasefire.
“We spoke with Bibi Netanyahu today, and we spoke to all the leaders in the Middle East who are great people, and we’re getting pretty close to having a deal on Gaza and maybe even peace,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UN via video after being denied a US visa, urged the international community to continue recognising Palestinian statehood while rejecting any role for Hamas in a future government.
Conclusion
Trump’s strong opposition to West Bank annexation highlights a rare public divergence from Netanyahu. Whether this stance leads to meaningful peace initiatives in the region remains to be seen, but it marks a significant moment in US–Israel relations and the wider Middle East peace process.