Trump Pushes Back on West Bank Annexation, Focusing on Broader Middle East Goals

In private discussions, US President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that annexation of areas in the West Bank is "off the table," according to individuals familiar with the matter. As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, senior Republican officials have advised Israel against pursuing such a move, warning that it could worsen the country’s international standing.

A Republican official emphasized, “This would be a mistake. Israel is in a difficult international situation, and such a move will only do damage.” Trump and his Republican allies are focusing on other Middle East priorities, such as revitalizing the Abraham Accords, facilitating normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and applying pressure on Iran. Trump's stance reflects his belief that an annexation push would detract from these broader strategic goals.

The annexation issue has gained momentum in recent weeks, particularly with voices from within the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calling for renewed discussions on the matter. In 2020, Trump’s peace plan allocated 30% of the West Bank for potential annexation by Israel, leaving the remaining areas for future peace talks with Palestinians.

The annexation debate was momentarily put on hold as the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalize relations with the UAE and Bahrain, took precedence. This diplomatic breakthrough effectively shelved annexation discussions in favor of a broader approach to Middle Eastern stability.

Trump recently reaffirmed his commitment to a long-term peace process, indicating his preference for diplomacy over unilateral actions. “I stopped Netanyahu last time from annexing the West Bank,” Trump said in an interview with Time magazine.