Trump Opposes Netanyahu's West Bank Annexation Plans

Sun Oct 19 2025 12:51:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

US President Donald Trump asserts he will prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from annexing the West Bank amidst rising global pressures for peace and recognition of Palestinian statehood.

In a recent statement, President Trump declared his opposition to any plans by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to annex the West Bank. This comes as international calls for Palestinian state recognition intensify and amid ongoing violence in Gaza. Trump also mentioned that discussions on a potential Gaza deal are progressing. Amidst these geopolitical tensions, Western nations have expressed strong disapproval of annexation efforts.

US President Donald Trump has said he will not allow Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Speaking ahead of the Israeli prime minister's address to the UN General Assembly on Friday, the US president told reporters in the Oval Office: I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank ... It's not going to happen.

Trump, who will meet Netanyahu on Monday, also noted that a deal concerning Gaza was pretty close. This comes as Israel faces increasing global pressure to end the ongoing war in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank, especially with a growing number of Western nations recognizing an independent Palestinian state.

Ultranationalists in Netanyahu's ruling coalition have escalated calls for outright annexation of the West Bank, amid warnings from countries like the UK and Germany against such actions. UN Secretary General António Guterres described annexation as morally, legally and politically intolerable during a meeting on Monday.

On Thursday, Trump stated that he had spoken with both Netanyahu and other Middle Eastern leaders and expressed optimism about approaching a resolution regarding Gaza and potential peace.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing the UN General Assembly via video link, expressed readiness to collaborate with global leaders on a peace plan while condemning the exclusion from the assembly due to travel restrictions imposed by the US. Abbas thanked recent global recognitions of Palestinian statehood, which have surged following a wave of declarations from various nations.

As conflict escalates in Gaza, more than 80 Palestinians were reported killed on a single day due to Israeli military actions, further intensifying calls for an end to hostilities. A UN-backed body has reported catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza, stressing the urgency for resolution.

Trump's discussions at the UN with Arab and Muslim leaders highlighted the serious implications of potential annexation, a concern shared among regional powers. Reports indicate that a significant military campaign has led to widespread casualties and humanitarian crises, drawing increased scrutiny and criticism of ongoing Israeli actions.