Sunday, December 28, 2025
13.1 C
New Delhi

‘Very stupid’: Trump, Vance angry over Israeli vote on West Bank annexation; trouble for Netanyahu?

'Very stupid': Trump, Vance angry over Israeli vote on West Bank annexation; trouble for Netanyahu?

US President Donald Trump warned that Israel would lose “all support” from Washington if it proceeded with annexing the West Bank, after Israeli lawmakers advanced two controversial bills paving the way for sovereignty over the occupied territory.In an interview with Time magazine published this week, Trump said the move was unacceptable and would breach assurances given to Arab nations following the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire. “It won’t happen. It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries,” Trump said, as quoted by The Times of Israel. “Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.”The comments followed a fiery response from Vice President JD Vance, who was in Israel when the Knesset narrowly approved a preliminary vote in favour of annexation — a step viewed as largely symbolic but politically provocative. “If it was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt,” Vance said at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before departing Israel. “I personally take some insult to it. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”The bills, one proposing full annexation of all West Bank settlements and another applying sovereignty to the large settlement city of Ma’ale Adumim, passed in their initial readings by narrow margins. They were introduced by far-right lawmakers aiming to embarrass Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposed the move and whose Likud party largely boycotted the vote.Even as annexation enjoys broad support among Israel’s right-wing coalition, Netanyahu has held back amid Washington’s firm opposition. “True sovereignty will be achieved not with a show-off law for the protocol,” Netanyahu’s Likud party said, insisting the government would act “together with our American partners.”US officials have expressed concern that annexation could derail the fragile ceasefire with Hamas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move was “potentially threatening to the peace deal” and warned it risked destabilising the situation further.The United Arab Emirates, one of Israel’s closest regional allies, has already described annexation as a “red line.” The Palestinian Authority, which seeks the West Bank for a future independent state, said such a move would destroy any remaining hopes of a two-state solution.

Go to Source

Hot this week

3 Top-Ranking Chinese Military Officials Expelled As Part Of Anti-Corruption Campaign

However, the three will remain full members of the Central Committee, the Communist Party’s top decision-making body. Read More

Centre to set up coal exchanges to promote competitive markets as production rises

NEW DELHI: With coal production likely to reach 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, the Centre has decided to set up coal exchanges to promote competitive markets for the sale of surplus thermal fuel. Read More

Trump applauds Thailand & Cambodia for ceasefire deal, calls outcome ‘fast & decisive’

US President Donald Trump praised Thailand and Cambodia for reaching a ceasefire after weeks of deadly border clashes. Read More

Party Of Students Who Ousted Sheikh Hasina Aligns With Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami

National Citizen Party allied with Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 polls, sparking internal dissent and resignations, as BNP is favoured to win with Awami League barred. Read More

Apple Cider Vinegar, The Magic Bullet For Weight Loss? Here’s What Is Known So F

Rich in polyphenols, Apple Cider Vinegar can help combat oxidative stress and support overall health. Read More

Topics

3 Top-Ranking Chinese Military Officials Expelled As Part Of Anti-Corruption Campaign

However, the three will remain full members of the Central Committee, the Communist Party’s top decision-making body. Read More

Centre to set up coal exchanges to promote competitive markets as production rises

NEW DELHI: With coal production likely to reach 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030, the Centre has decided to set up coal exchanges to promote competitive markets for the sale of surplus thermal fuel. Read More

Trump applauds Thailand & Cambodia for ceasefire deal, calls outcome ‘fast & decisive’

US President Donald Trump praised Thailand and Cambodia for reaching a ceasefire after weeks of deadly border clashes. Read More

Party Of Students Who Ousted Sheikh Hasina Aligns With Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami

National Citizen Party allied with Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 polls, sparking internal dissent and resignations, as BNP is favoured to win with Awami League barred. Read More

Apple Cider Vinegar, The Magic Bullet For Weight Loss? Here’s What Is Known So F

Rich in polyphenols, Apple Cider Vinegar can help combat oxidative stress and support overall health. Read More

SWISS Zurich-Mumbai flight lands safely after cabin pressurisation snag

. NEW DELHI: A SWISS Airbus A330 operating from Zurich to Mumbai Saturday (Dec 27) as SWR 154 suffered a cabin pressurisation snag. Read More

News18 Evening Digest: Digvijaya Singh Takes U-Turn On RSS-BJP Praise And Other Top News

We are also covering: ‘Don’t Want Any North East Child To Face This’: Father Of Tripura Student Killed In Racial Attack and other news. Read More

India Has Boarded The ‘Reform Express’, Youth Its Engine: PM Modi

PM Modi also highlighted steps taken to create a new work culture in governance and service delivery. Read More

Related Articles