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Rubio Warns Israel Against West Bank Annexation
(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a caution on Wednesday, stating that Israel was “threatening” the Gaza ceasefire agreement proposed by President Donald Trump after its parliament took initial steps toward annexing portions of the occupied West Bank.
Rubio told reporters before leaving for Israel, “I think the president’s made sure that’s not something we can be supportive of right now. And we think that's even threatening to the peace deal.”
He further noted, “They’re a democracy. They’re going to have their votes. People are going to take these positions. But at this time, we think it might be counterproductive.”
The statement followed the Knesset’s approval of two annexation-related bills in a preliminary vote on Wednesday. Both proposals still require three more readings to become official law.
This parliamentary move occurred despite opposition from President Trump, who declared last month that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank.
The vote also coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Israel, which is part of a US diplomatic effort to uphold the Gaza ceasefire that began on October 10.
The annexation of the West Bank would effectively eliminate the possibility of establishing a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as outlined by United Nations resolutions.
Since October 2023, Israeli military operations across the West Bank have intensified, resulting in the deaths of over 1,056 Palestinians, injuries to more than 10,300, and the detention of upwards of 20,000 individuals, according to Palestinian sources.
Rubio told reporters before leaving for Israel, “I think the president’s made sure that’s not something we can be supportive of right now. And we think that's even threatening to the peace deal.”
He further noted, “They’re a democracy. They’re going to have their votes. People are going to take these positions. But at this time, we think it might be counterproductive.”
The statement followed the Knesset’s approval of two annexation-related bills in a preliminary vote on Wednesday. Both proposals still require three more readings to become official law.
This parliamentary move occurred despite opposition from President Trump, who declared last month that he would not permit Israel to annex the West Bank.
The vote also coincided with Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Israel, which is part of a US diplomatic effort to uphold the Gaza ceasefire that began on October 10.
The annexation of the West Bank would effectively eliminate the possibility of establishing a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as outlined by United Nations resolutions.
Since October 2023, Israeli military operations across the West Bank have intensified, resulting in the deaths of over 1,056 Palestinians, injuries to more than 10,300, and the detention of upwards of 20,000 individuals, according to Palestinian sources.
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