US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the Israeli Knesset’s move toward annexing the West Bank poses a risk to President Donald Trump’s plan aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict, which has resulted in a fragile ceasefire.
In comments made to reporters late Wednesday before his departure to Israel, Rubio said, “This is a Knesset vote… But I clearly believe the president has made it clear that this is not something we support at this time, and we think it may threaten the peace agreement.”
Rubio’s visit to Israel, announced by the US State Department yesterday, marks the latest trip by a senior US official in efforts to maintain the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas.
This week, Vice President J.D. Vance also arrived in Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday. Vance is scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer today before departing.
The State Department indicated that Rubio’s trip aims to bolster the implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza.
Yesterday, the Israeli parliament gave initial approval to legislation that would apply Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, an action equivalent to annexing territory that Palestinians seek for their future state.
Approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers currently reside in various settlements across the occupied West Bank. The United Nations and most of the international community consider these settlements illegal under international law.
Nevertheless, the Israeli government argues that it has historical and biblical ties to the West Bank, a region it regards as disputed, and opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state.