Trump Pledges to Arab Leaders He Won't Allow Israel to Annex West Bank

Trump Assures Arab Leaders on Israeli West Bank Annexation

President Donald Trump has reportedly pledged to a number of Arab and Muslim leaders that he will not allow Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, according to sources familiar with the matter. This commitment comes amid growing Arab and Muslim concerns about the policies of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, especially after increasing international recognition of the State of Palestine.

The remarks were made during a meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Attending leaders expressed increasing alarm over Israel's actions in the Middle East, urging Trump to restrain Netanyahu and help end the war in Gaza.

One participant in the meeting indicated that Trump's comments helped allay concerns about potential annexation plans. “Netanyahu can’t do anything in the Middle East without a green light from the United States,” the person said. Another attendee confirmed that Trump made the pledge emphatically.

Trump emphasized his firm stance on the issue, stating that he would not allow the West Bank, which should be governed by the Palestinian Authority and not Hamas, to be annexed. Leaders and officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Pakistan attended the meeting.

Other Concerns Raised by Leaders

In addition to the annexation issue, leaders discussed their fears about Israel potentially occupying Gaza or building settlements there, or forcibly displacing Palestinians from the besieged enclave. They also expressed concern about the Netanyahu government potentially altering the legal and historical status of holy sites in Jerusalem. “Trump responded positively to the meeting and the points raised by the Arab leaders,” one source said.

Despite these assurances, a ceasefire agreement to end Israel's war on Hamas remains elusive. International pressure on Israel has increased due to its war in Gaza, with countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Australia formally recognizing the State of Palestine.

This recognition is seen as a rebuke to Netanyahu, as leaders of these countries asserted that the move is necessary to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, amid Israel's expansion of control over Palestinian territories.

Israeli and International Reactions

These international moves sparked a stir in Israel, with far-right ministers in Netanyahu's cabinet renewing their demands for the immediate annexation of the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Netanyahu had indicated that he would announce his decision on annexation after a meeting with Trump.

Annexing the West Bank could jeopardize the Abraham Accords, which led to the normalization of relations between four Arab countries and Israel in 2020. The United Arab Emirates, the first and most influential Arab nation to sign the agreement, has warned that annexation would be a “red line.”

The U.S. administration seems to be realizing the dire consequences that annexing the West Bank could have on the region. Arab and European leaders have used the UN General Assembly meetings to pressure the Trump administration to take more action to end Israel's war in Gaza.

Trump and his team presented a white paper outlining a plan to end the Middle East war, including a commitment not to annex and other details regarding post-war governance and security. The U.S. Secretary of State affirmed that the U.S. administration is fully aware that the situation in Gaza is a significant concern for Arab nations.

Important Note: This analysis provides an overview of political events and developments and does not constitute investment advice. Individuals should consult with financial professionals before making any investment decisions.