In a significant political development, Israel has temporarily suspended the legislative process for annexing parts of the West Bank. The decision came after two controversial bills, which aimed to apply Israeli law and administration to all settlements in Maale Adumim and the West Bank, passed a preliminary vote in the Knesset on Wednesday. The move has sparked widespread debate and criticism, particularly during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Israel. Ofir Katz, chairman of the government coalition, announced that the bills would not be advanced until further notice, citing the need for further deliberation. The parliamentary vote, which occurred during Vance’s visit, was described by the US Vice President as a ‘political stunt’ with no practical significance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office countered that the vote was a deliberate provocation by the opposition to disrupt the visit. Netanyahu’s Likud party did not support the bills, making their passage unlikely without their backing. The suspension of the annexation process underscores the complex political dynamics in the region and the delicate balance of international relations.