Israel’s West Bank annexation plan ‘threatens’ Gaza peace deal, says Rubio

After Israel’s parliament advanced two bills to annex the West Bank, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday warned that any such plans threatened the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

Rubio will arrive in Israel on Thursday to join Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stick to deal in Gaza and not resume the war.

Ahead of boarding the flight to Israel, Rubio said that Trump has “made clear that’s [annexation] not something we can be supportive of right now” and that any plans for annexation are “threatening for the peace deal”, according to AFP.

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“They’re a democracy, they’re going to have their votes, and people are going to take these positions. But at this time, it’s something that we…think might be counterproductive,” said Rubio.

The Israeli parliament on Wednesday passed two bills in a preliminary regarding that sought the West Bank's annexation. These bills will now go to the parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. If the committee clears the bill, three rounds of votes will be held.

Watch: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian olive farmers in West Bank, torch cars

Since Netanyahu formed the most extremist government in Israel’s history in 2022, the ruling coalition as well as elements within the government have frequently called for the annexation of West Bank and Gaza — particularly since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

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Trump assured Muslim nations he wouldn’t allow West Bank’s annexation

Last month, Trump assured leaders of several Muslim nations at a summit that he will not allow Israel to annex West Bank, according to Politico.

Trump was firm that he will not allow Israel to annex West Bank and made a promise to Muslim leaders from eight countries, two sources told the outlet.

The eight countries were Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Lately, in the wake of the rising international recognition of the Palestinian state, influential voices within Israel’s ruling coalition and government have publicly called for Gaza and West Bank’s annexation.

After the latest round of recognition led by France, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced he will propose West Bank’s annexation.

“The recognition by the UK, Canada, and Australia of a ‘Palestinian’ state as a prize for the murderous [Hamas] terrorists, requires immediate countermeasures,” said Ben-Gvir, according to The Times of Israel.

Ben-Gvir called for “the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, and the complete dismantling of the ‘Palestinian’ Authority’" — using biblical names for the West Bank that are in vogue among Israel’s right-wing politicians. He also announced he would “submit a proposal for the application of sovereignty at the upcoming cabinet meeting”.

At least two other Israeli ministers have called for the annexation — Economy Minister Nir Barkat and Transportation Minister Miri Regev from Netanyahu’s Likud party. Barkat said that Israel’s response to recognition of the Palestinian state should include “the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria”.