In a significant diplomatic development, the United States has formally declared its opposition to Israel’s annexation of the West Bank while simultaneously refraining from direct criticism of recent Israeli actions to strengthen its control over the occupied Palestinian territory. A Trump administration official stated late Monday that President Donald Trump “does not support Israel annexing the West Bank,” emphasizing that regional stability aligns with Washington’s peace objectives.
The statement came hours after Israel’s security cabinet approved measures facilitating Jewish Israeli land purchases in the West Bank and expanding Israeli administrative control over areas currently governed by the Palestinian Authority. These controversial decisions preceded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with President Trump, where discussions were expected to focus on increasing pressure against Iran.
International reaction has been swift and condemnatory. Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority nations—Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey—collectively denounced Israel’s moves as “illegal” in the strongest terms. The European Union characterized the decision as “another step in the wrong direction,” while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern regarding the potential implications for regional stability and peace prospects.
The nuanced American position highlights the complex diplomatic balancing act undertaken by Washington, which maintains its status as Israel’s primary international ally while attempting to navigate increasingly contentious territorial disputes in the region.