The United States, under President Donald Trump, opposed Israel’s recent moves to expand control over the West Bank. Officials said the annexation risks destabilizing Israel and Palestinian territories and undermines the peace process. Trump emphasized that a stable West Bank is vital for Israel’s security.
The announcement follows Israeli far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz introducing measures to extend Israeli authority, including easing land acquisition for settlements. International law considers these actions illegal, sparking global condemnation.
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Eight Muslim-majority countries—Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the UAE—denounced Israel’s plan. They called it an unlawful attempt to assert sovereignty and displace Palestinians. The United Nations and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also criticized the move, calling it “destabilizing.”
European nations, including the United Kingdom and Spain, urged Israel to reverse the decisions. Spain warned the measures could reignite violence in Gaza and disrupt peace and ceasefire efforts. The UK called any unilateral alteration of Palestinian territories “wholly unacceptable.”
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The controversial measures include transferring building permit authority in Hebron from the Palestinian Authority to Israel and increasing control over Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs. Smotrich defended the actions, claiming they “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” further escalating regional tensions.