Vance denounces Israeli annexation vote as political provocation

Friday 24 October 2025 - 10:50

US Vice President JD Vance has sharply criticised the Israeli parliament’s preliminary approval of a bill to apply Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, calling the move “a stupid political stunt.” He affirmed that President Donald Trump would not support any form of annexation of the territory.

Speaking at the end of his two-day visit to Israel, Vance declared that “the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel,” reaffirming Washington’s policy under Trump’s leadership. His remarks came after the Israeli Knesset narrowly passed the first reading of the bill with a 25-24 vote. The measure, pushed by far-right lawmakers including Avi Maoz, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Bezalel Smotrich, was condemned as a “deliberate political provocation” by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

US reaffirms opposition to annexation

President Trump later echoed Vance’s stance, telling reporters at the White House that Israel is “not going to do anything with the West Bank.” His administration has warned that annexation could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and advance peace negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also criticised the Israeli move, saying it risks destabilising Trump’s initiative aimed at ending hostilities and rebuilding Gaza.

Israeli divisions amid growing settler expansion

Although Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party did not back the bill, observers say gradual, de facto annexation continues as Israeli settlements expand across the West Bank. Over 700,000 Israeli settlers now live in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, in violation of international law. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel’s settlement activities and continued occupation of Palestinian territories are illegal and must end immediately.

Human rights organisations have documented increasing settler violence against Palestinians, with attacks often carried out under military protection. The United Nations estimates that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023, as Israeli raids and settler assaults have intensified, forcing thousands from their homes.

Regional and international condemnation

The vote drew swift condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkiye, and other Muslim-majority nations, as well as major Arab and Islamic organisations. The reaction underscores how Israel’s domestic politics continue to inflame regional tensions even as the US attempts to stabilise Gaza under Trump’s 20-point plan for post-war reconstruction and governance.

Rubio, who arrived in Israel to support the plan’s implementation, emphasised that Washington seeks an outcome leading toward Palestinian statehood, stability, and renewed dialogue between both sides. Despite this, Netanyahu’s government remains firm in rejecting the idea of a Palestinian state and has used annexation rhetoric as a political tool amid international pressure.