This week, President Trump conveyed a clear message to leaders of Arab and Muslim-majority nations: he will not permit Israel to annex the West Bank. This assurance, confirmed by three sources close to the discussions, marks a crucial moment in regional diplomacy.
Recent weeks have seen Israeli officials hinting at potential annexation of parts of the West Bank. These suggestions arose as a direct response to a growing number of nations, including Britain, Canada, and France, formally recognizing a Palestinian state.
Pressure has been mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his right-wing coalition partners to assert Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Notably, far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir explicitly demanded the government implement this measure without delay on Sunday.
President Trump delivered these assurances during a meeting held Tuesday alongside the United Nations General Assembly. Multiple individuals, including an Arab official, confirmed these discussions, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information.
Attendees at this pivotal meeting included the President of Turkey, the Emir of Qatar, the King of Jordan, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Prime Minister of Egypt, and several other influential regional and Muslim leaders.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later characterized his discussions with President Trump as both “productive and successful,” signaling a positive outcome from the high-level talks.
The mere possibility of annexation has sparked widespread condemnation across the Arab world. Palestinian leaders in the West Bank, supported by a significant portion of the international community, have consistently viewed the territory as a cornerstone of a future independent Palestinian state.
Approximately three million Palestinians reside in the West Bank, a territory under Israeli control since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Additionally, around half a million Israelis live in settlements throughout the West Bank, which are widely regarded as illegal under international law by Palestinians and many global entities.
Unilateral annexation of any portion of the West Bank by Israel would starkly highlight the diminishing hopes for a viable Palestinian state. However, many Palestinians argue that Israel’s existing policies in the West Bank, such as severe restrictions on their movement and construction, already constitute a de facto annexation.
While recognizing a Palestinian state holds significant symbolic importance, Palestinian officials emphasize that it does little to alter the difficult daily realities faced by their people in both the West Bank and Gaza.
Separately, on Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his strong opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He firmly declared, “There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan River,” adding that he has consistently thwarted its formation for years, despite significant domestic and international pressure.
Isabel Kershner also contributed to this report.