Trump assures Arab and Muslim leaders he will not allow Israel to annex West Bank; Netanyahu toughens stance

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has reportedly assured Arab and Muslim leaders that Israel will not be allowed to annex the West Bank. Trump made the announcement during a meeting with leaders from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE.

United States special envoy to the Middle East and special envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff announced that they have presented the Trump 21-point-plan for peace in the Mideast in Gaza. He added that this addresses Israeli concerns and as well, the concerns of all the neighbors in the region. President Donald Trump had earlier said the US will “take over” and “own” Gaza after resettling Palestinians there and turn Gaza into a resort town.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his army are continuing their offensive without softening their stance, despite global protests against the growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Netanyahu announced that he would continue to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank despite countries such as Britain, France, Canada and Australia recognising the state of Palestine. Netanyahu, who referred to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, which are the Biblical names for the region, said that he had doubled Jewish immigration and would stand firm on his stance.

The far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gurion also announced that he would propose annexing the West Bank in response to the Western recognition of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gurion accused the recognition of the Palestinian state as "rewarding the murderous Hamas terrorists". Ben-Gurion called for the immediate application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and the complete abolition of the Palestinian Authority. Ben-Gurion said that a resolution on this matter would be presented at a cabinet meeting.

Two other ministers from Netanyahu's Likud party, Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Economy Minister Nir Barkat, have called for the annexation of the West Bank. Nir Barkat said Israel's response to recognizing a Palestinian state should be the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.