US President Donald Trump said an Israeli annexation of the West Bank is “not going to happen.” It comes as several Israeli ministers have pushed for the idea. DW has more.US President Donald Trump has told journalists in the Oval Office that an Israeli annexation of the West Bank will not happen.
Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with other Israeli officials, have pushed for an Israeli annexation of the West Bank in response to several Western countries recognizing Palestinian statehood.
Israel has been occupying the West Bank since 1967 and is building settlements there which are deemed illegal under international law.
Here’s the latest regarding Israel, the West Bank, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Friday, September 26:
‘I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,’ Trump says
US President Donald Trump said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, adding “Its not going to happen.”
“There’s been enough, its time to stop,” Trump said.
Israel has been occupying the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day war. The Palestinian Authority administers semi-autonomous areas in the West Bank.
Since 1967, Israel has been building settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal under international law. Israel recently greenlit a controversial settlement project in the West Bank which would split the territory in two and hurt the prospects of a Palestinian state.
Trump answered questions on the topic after a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss resolving the Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu has been facing pressure from right-wing allies to annex the Palestinian territory, prompting alarm and condemnation.
Trump met leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss war in Gaza.
The meeting took place at the UN on the sidelines of the annual General Assembly.
“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 for the potential of peace in Gaza, but also to any sustainable peace at all,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told reporters at the United Nations on Thursday.
Welcome to our coverage
Welcome to DW’s coverage of the Middle East.
Stay tuned for the latest news, on-the-ground correspondent insight and multimedia content pertaining to the region.
Today we are starting off with a look at the occupied West Bank, with US President Donald Trump staunchly opposing Israeli annexation of the territory.
Later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuwill speak at the United Nations General Assembly after several Western countries recognized Palestinian statehood. Protests are expected as Israeli’s military offensive in Gaza continues.
Disclaimer: The story “Middle East: Trump says Israel will not annex West Bank” first appeared on Deutsche Welle World and is syndicated via Digpu & NewsTex.