President Trump recently assured leaders from several Arab and Muslim-majority countries that his administration would not sanction Israel’s annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
This assurance comes amidst heightened tensions, as Israeli officials had hinted at annexing parts of the West Bank. Such a move was considered a potential response to various nations, including Britain, Canada, and France, formally recognizing a Palestinian state. Calls for this annexation have grown louder among right-wing factions in Israel, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urging the government to adopt the measure “immediately.”
Mr. Trump delivered these guarantees during a meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Among those present were the president of Turkey, the emir of Qatar, the king of Jordan, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, and the prime minister of Egypt, alongside other influential regional and Muslim leaders. Sources, who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the talks, confirmed the details of the meeting.
Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, characterized his discussions with President Trump as both “productive and successful.”
The possibility of annexation has met strong condemnation across the Arab world. Palestinian leaders, supported by a large portion of the international community, envision the territory as a core component of a future independent Palestinian state. Approximately three million Palestinians currently reside in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli control since the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. Additionally, about half a million Israelis live in settlements throughout the West Bank, which are widely regarded as illegal under international law.
Unilateral annexation by Israel would further diminish the already distant hope for a sovereign Palestinian state. However, many Palestinians contend that Israel’s existing policies in the West Bank – including strict movement restrictions and limitations on construction – already constitute a de facto annexation.
Palestinian officials emphasize that while international recognition holds significant symbolic weight, it has not yet altered the challenging realities faced by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his firm opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state. “There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River,” he declared. “For years, I have prevented the establishment of this terrorist state, enduring immense domestic and international pressure.”
Isabel Kershner contributed to this report.