In a significant political development, the top echelons of the U.S. government have issued a unified warning against Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, with President Donald Trump stating such a move would cause Israel to "lose all of its support from the United States" . The warnings from President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio come amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and a vote by Israeli lawmakers that advanced bills seen as a step toward formal annexation .
The Trump administration's position was articulated forcefully by its principal figures. President Trump, in an interview with Time magazine, was unequivocal, stating that annexation "won't happen" because he had given his word to Arab countries that had provided support, and that it would result in a complete loss of U.S. backing for Israel . On the ground in Israel, Vice President JD Vance characterized a preliminary Knesset vote on annexation as a "very stupid political stunt" and said he personally took "insult" from it, affirming that the administration's policy is that "the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel" . Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, warning that such moves are "not something we'd be supportive of" and are "threatening to the peace deal" .
The U.S. criticisms align with the stance of the international community. Annexation, defined as the possession of land by force, is generally illegal under international law . In a landmark 2024 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirmed that Israel's policies and practices in the West Bank already constitute de facto annexation and are illegal, finding they deprive the Palestinian people of their right to self-determination . The UN Security Council has also reported that settlement construction has "accelerated," with thousands of new housing units advanced in the occupied West Bank, further undermining the contiguity of a future Palestinian state . For Palestinians, the expansion of settlements means that a formal law of annexation would largely formalize a dire reality already experienced on the ground, including living under martial law, house demolitions, and restricted access to land .
The strong U.S. statements come at a critical time, as senior American officials shuttle to the region to shore up the fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration earlier in October . This truce, which has seen the release of hostages and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal, is a cornerstone of President Trump's broader 20-point peace plan . The administration views the Knesset's annexation vote as a direct threat to these delicate diplomatic efforts and the prospect of a wider peace deal, which relies on engaging with Arab partners who firmly oppose annexation .