US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out any Israeli annexation of the West Bank, pushing back against pressure from right-wing allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend control over the territory.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday while signing executive orders unrelated to Middle East policy.
TRUMP: I WILL NOT ALLOW ISRAEL TO ANNEX THE WEST BANK
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
No, I will not allow it.
It’s not going to happen.”
Source: @RapidResponse47 https://t.co/BCyptxvZIe pic.twitter.com/evh2J9owne— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 25, 2025
The remarks were striking for a president who has long touted his friendship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “There’s been enough,” Trump added. “It’s time to stop now.”
Trump’s warning comes as Netanyahu faces calls from right-wing allies at home to annex the West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 war and now home to about 700,000 Israeli settlers and 2.7 million Palestinians. The territory is governed by the Palestinian Authority, unlike Gaza, which remains under Hamas control and locked in a war with Israel.
Arab leaders, some of whom met Trump privately during this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, have voiced alarm at the prospect of annexation. The push has also deepened rifts with Western allies, many of whom are already outraged by Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and its expanding settlement policy in the West Bank.
Ten countries, including Britain, France, Canada and Australia, recognised Palestinian statehood this week in hopes of reviving a long-stalled peace process. The United States and Israel swiftly rejected the move, while Germany withheld recognition but suspended some military exports. The European Union is weighing sanctions, while cultural and sporting boycotts are gaining traction.
SAUDI ARABIA SAYS ARAB, MUSLIM NATIONS WARNED TRUMP
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said that Arab and Muslim countries have cautioned President Trump about the dangers of any Israeli move to annex the West Bank.
“The Arab and Muslim countries made very clear to the president the danger of annexation of any type in the West Bank and the risk that poses not just to the potential of peace in Gaza, but also to any sustainable peace at all,” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told reporters at the United Nations.
He added, “I feel confident that President Trump understood the position of the Arab and Muslim countries.”
– Ends
With inputs from Associated Press