Trump opposes Israel's annexation of occupied West Bank: White House
The US position follows a series of measures approved by Israel’s security cabinet that would expand Israeli control over the occupied territory and streamline procedures for Israelis to acquire land for new settlements
US President Donald Trump opposes Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank, the White House said on Monday, citing regional stability as a central objective in efforts to achieve peace.
A White House official said maintaining a stable West Bank is essential to Israel's security and consistent with the administration's broader diplomatic goals, says Al Jazeera.
The US position follows a series of measures approved by Israel's security cabinet that would expand Israeli control over the occupied territory and streamline procedures for Israelis to acquire land for new settlements. The measures were led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.
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The moves have drawn international criticism.
Eight Muslim-majority countries — Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates — issued a joint statement condemning the measures as an attempt to impose "unlawful Israeli sovereignty" and accelerate the displacement of Palestinians.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the actions as "destabilising" and said they undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
European governments also voiced opposition. Britain called for an immediate reversal of the decision, saying unilateral attempts to alter the demographic or geographic character of Palestinian territory are "wholly unacceptable" and inconsistent with international law. Spain joined Britain in opposing the measures.
