President Donald Trump asserted on Thursday that he would prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank, stating, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope. I will not allow it. It’s not gonna happen.” He reiterated the stance regardless of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Trump’s remarks came during a meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders, where he reportedly promised to halt Israel’s plans to absorb the West Bank, which is under Palestinian Authority governance. Sources familiar with the discussion noted that while Trump emphasized his opposition, a ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with Hamas remained unresolved. A proposed administration plan outlined steps to address regional tensions, including measures for postwar security and governance, though details about the West Bank were not specified.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s travel to the U.N. General Assembly drew attention as his plane avoided French airspace amid concerns over an international criminal court arrest warrant. Flight data showed the Israeli leader’s route bypassed European countries that could enforce the warrant, opting instead for a path through Greece and Italy before crossing the Atlantic. The Israeli government did not publicly explain the decision, but media reports suggested it aimed to evade jurisdictions requiring his detention.