Trump: Israel to Lose U.S. Support if It Annexes West Bank

President Donald Trump warned Israel it would lose U.S. support if it annexes the West Bank, marking a sharp shift in American policy toward its closest Middle East ally. The warning comes as Israeli lawmakers advance legislation that could expand Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory, just days after Trump helped broker a Gaza ceasefire.

In an interview with Time magazine, Trump was direct about the consequences. "That's not going to happen because I made a commitment to the Arab countries," he said when asked about potential West Bank annexation. "Israel will lose all of its support from the United States if that happens."

The timing makes this warning particularly significant. The Israeli Knesset just voted to advance two bills that would pave the way for extending Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. This happened right after Trump successfully mediated a ceasefire deal aimed at ending two years of war in Gaza.

Vice President J.D. Vance didn't hold back during his visit to Israel. He called the Knesset vote a "very stupid political maneuver" and said he felt "personally insulted" by the timing. His comments show how seriously the new administration views any moves that could derail the fragile Gaza agreement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed these concerns before arriving in Israel. He told reporters that passing either of the proposed bills would "threaten" the ceasefire and prove "counterproductive." The message from Washington is clear: don't mess with the Gaza deal.

This marks a notable shift from previous U.S. positions on Israeli settlement activity. While past administrations have criticized Israeli expansion in the West Bank, Trump's explicit threat to cut off support represents a harder line than many expected from a president generally seen as pro-Israel.

The West Bank has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967. International law considers Israeli settlements there illegal, though Israel disputes this. Around 500,000 Israelis now live in West Bank settlements alongside about 2.8 million Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Palestinian factions are meeting in Cairo to discuss Gaza's post-war future. According to Palestinian sources, they're working through sensitive issues including who will govern Gaza, disarming militant groups, and creating a roadmap for elections. These talks could determine whether the ceasefire holds and what Palestinian governance looks like going forward.

The discussions in Cairo cover ending political divisions between different Palestinian groups and renewing legitimacy for institutions like the Palestine Liberation Organization. They're also trying to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement for Gaza.

For investors and regional governments, Trump's warning signals that U.S.-Israel relations may face new constraints. Markets typically view U.S.-Israel alignment as a stabilizing factor in the region. Any cooling of that relationship could affect defense contracts, trade relationships, and regional security arrangements.