U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem amid tensions over West Bank annexation bills. Image credit: Euronews
The bills would apply Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, de facto annexing Palestinians’ reserve land for a future state. The Knesset passed them in a first reading only a week after President Donald Trump announced a peace deal to end Israel’s two-year Gaza war.
JD Vance Condemned Vote
Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Vance criticized the vote:
If it were a political stunt, it was a pretty dumb one. The West Bank will not be annexed. That is President Trump’s policy, and it will not change.”
Following the remarks, Ofir Katz of the governing coalition leader, stated that Netanyahu ordered a halt to all annexation bills. Netanyahu’s office characterized the Knesset vote as a “deliberate provocation” aimed at embarrassing his government during the U.S. visit.
Washington’s diplomatic foursome, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio, visited Israel this week to reaffirm the Gaza ceasefire. Rubio warned that annexation would “be a threat to the peace deal,” and Trump told Time magazine that Israel would “lose all U.S. support” if it annexed the West Bank.
The quick American intervention is proof of a policy change: the Trump administration openly is putting pressure on Israel to fall into line with Washington’s orders. The repeated visits are cynically described by Israeli media as “Bibi-sitting,” in reference to Netanyahu’s nickname.
“The U.S. is reminding Israel who’s boss,” stated former diplomat Alon Pinkas. “This is Trump’s team saying: you obey our script, or lose support.”.
Right-wing Israeli politicians, including Noam party representative Avi Maoz, maintained insistence on “sovereignty over the Land of Israel,” defying Netanyahu’s call to abstain. Their defiant move increased tensions within the government coalition.
More than a dozen Arab and Muslim nations condemned the annexation bills as “a violation of international law.” Palestinian authorities also welcomed Trump’s robust opposition, which they claimed could bring stability to the Middle East.
Netanyahu Under Pressure
Commentators say Netanyahu’s action is a betrayal of how much Israel has come to depend on American assistance, economically, militarily, and internationally. The Trump administration has made future political support and aid to Israel contingent upon Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire terms.
“Trump can offer Netanyahu political cover or even ask for a pardon,” Chatham House’s Yossi Mekelberg said. “But only if Netanyahu will comply with the U.S. agenda.”.
Despite Netanyahu’s denials that “Israel is not controlled by the United States,” his recent conduct says otherwise. American officials have always stepped in to hold back Israeli moves in Gaza, Iran, and now in the West Bank.
While tensions boil, Netanyahu has the difficult balancing act: appease Washington to keep the money coming or appease hardliners who want annexation. Washington has made the choice for him, at least temporarily.
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