The United States has reiterated its opposition to Israeli efforts that could amount to the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, warning that such moves risk undermining regional stability and prospects for peace.
A White House official said President Donald Trump opposes formal annexation, even as Israel’s government advances measures that expand Israeli authority over West Bank territory. The official said the administration believes unilateral actions could complicate long-standing U.S. goals of preserving stability and keeping open the possibility of a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel’s security cabinet recently approved steps that increase Israeli control in parts of the West Bank, including changes affecting land administration and enforcement powers in areas where the Palestinian Authority has limited governance. Critics, including Palestinian officials and international observers, say the measures amount to a de facto annexation of territory captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
The Israeli government has defended the actions as administrative and security-related, arguing they are necessary to protect Israeli citizens and maintain order. Palestinian leaders, however, say the moves further entrench Israel’s occupation and weaken hopes for a future Palestinian state.
Reaction to the developments has been swift across the region. Several Arab nations, including Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, condemned the Israeli decisions, saying they violate international law and threaten regional peace. European governments and United Nations officials also warned that expanding Israeli control over the West Bank could further erode the viability of a two-state solution.
The West Bank is home to about 3 million Palestinians and roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers living in communities considered illegal under international law, a designation Israel disputes. Previous U.S. administrations have opposed annexation, though Washington’s position has shifted at times over settlement policy and Israel’s claims to the territory.
The latest U.S. statement highlights the delicate balance the administration faces as it seeks to maintain close ties with Israel while responding to growing international concern over actions seen as altering the status of the West Bank without negotiations.
For now, U.S. officials say they continue to urge restraint and dialogue, even as tensions over the territory remain high.