US signals no opposition to Israeli annexation of West Bank

The United States will not stand in the way of Israel’s potential annexation of the West Bank, according to remarks attributed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

According to Caliber.Az, Axios journalist Barak Ravid wrote on X page, citing two Israeli officials.

"Two Israeli officials claim Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signalled in private meetings that he doesn't oppose West Bank annexations and the Trump administration won't stand in the way," Ravid said.

Israel is considering annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in response to expected recognition of Palestinian statehood by Western nations this month, according to two Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet top cabinet ministers on September 4 to discuss the matter, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, the UK, and others plan to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly this month. Belgium will also recognise it, with Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot citing Israel’s “expansionist ambitions” and “colonisation program,” and pledging 12 sanctions, including a ban on imports from Israeli settlements.

Netanyahu has discussed annexation options ranging from limited takeovers of settlements to a broader claim over Area C, which constitutes 60% of the West Bank. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar updated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the plans last week, but the US has not approved them.

One key option under consideration is annexing the Jordan Valley, which Israeli officials say could be justified as a security perimeter. Far-right allies and settler leaders push for maximalist annexation, applying sovereignty over all territory not inhabited by Palestinians, potentially encircling Palestinian population centres.

Omer Rahamim, CEO of the Yesha Council, said applying sovereignty should be “a preemptive move ahead of the French recognition of Palestinian statehood. By applying sovereignty, we will prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, because it is impossible to establish a state on the sovereign territory of another country.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev