President Donald Trump declared Thursday that he would not permit Israel to annex 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.” Trump emphasized his stance regardless of discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
Trump reiterated the promise during a meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders, according to sources familiar with the discussion. The president reportedly assured attendees that Israel would not absorb the West Bank, which is governed by the Palestinian Authority. A white paper outlining a proposed peace plan for the Mideast was presented, including commitments to address Israeli concerns and regional security, though details on the West Bank were not specified.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu faced logistical challenges while traveling to the U.N. General Assembly. His flight avoided French airspace amid fears of potential arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Flight data showed the Israeli prime minister’s plane traversed Greek and Italian airspace before heading toward the Atlantic, bypassing countries that have ratified the ICC statute. The route reportedly aimed to prevent Netanyahu from entering jurisdictions where he could be detained.
The conflict in Gaza remained a focal point at the U.N., with multiple nations recognizing Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s diplomatic efforts coincided with ongoing tensions over the war and its aftermath.
