Trump: ‘It’s Not Going to Happen’ — No U.S. Backing for Israeli Annexation of West Bank

 

 

 

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday firmly ruled out supporting Israeli annexation of the West Bank, delivering a blow to the hopes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies.

 

“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. He confirmed that he had already conveyed the stance to Arab and Muslim leaders during a multilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

 

“I’m not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank,” he repeated. “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”

 

The declaration lands just as Netanyahu arrived in New York ahead of his Friday address to the United Nations. The timing adds pressure on the Israeli leader, whose coalition partners have long viewed annexation as their ultimate prize.

 

Trump also emphasized that a Gaza deal is “close,” but said he needed to meet Netanyahu in person before moving forward.

 

The comments follow a wave of recognition for Palestinian statehood by France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal in recent days, moves intended to keep the two-state solution alive. Israel condemned the decisions.

 

Earlier this week, a senior Israeli official revealed that the Trump administration had privately warned Jerusalem against annexation. Still, Netanyahu was expected to press the issue when he meets Trump at the White House next week.

 

By going public, Trump has all but undercut settler leaders’ hopes — and without U.S. backing, Israel would face massive international backlash if it tried to proceed alone. A top Emirati official recently warned that annexation would be a “red line” that could end regional integration efforts.

 

Takeaways:

• Trump says he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank: “It’s not going to happen.”

• Public rebuke deflates hopes of Netanyahu’s far-right allies and settler leaders.

• Announcement comes as Netanyahu heads to New York for UN address.

• France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have recently recognized a Palestinian state.

• Trump insists a Gaza deal is “close,” but he wants to meet Netanyahu first.

• Without U.S. support, annexation would face major international backlash.

 

Original source

32 minutes ago, Social Media said:

I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. It’s not going to happen,

These 2 things are not mutually exclusive. Plus he may change his mind next week.

IMO Israel are well on the way to annex the West Bank, and nobody is going to stop them.