U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned that Israel could lose “all U.S. support” if it proceeds with the annexation of the West Bank.
In an interview with TIME magazine, Trump stated:
“This will not happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries… Israel would lose all support from the United States if this were to occur.”
The warning came after the Israeli parliament approved a bill advancing West Bank annexation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to questions about whether the U.S. is dictating Israeli policy:
“They will always say that, but it does not matter. We are an independent country.”
The bill passed narrowly, 25–24, and it remains unclear whether it has majority support in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu retains the authority to delay or veto the legislation.
Currently, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jewish residents in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while roughly 3.3 million Palestinians live nearby. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, a stance reinforced by an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last year.
