US backs Israel amid West Bank annexation calls

The U.S. State Department has reiterated its support for Israel’s security decisions following calls by senior Israeli ministers to annex the occupied West Bank.

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Wednesday that Washington “stands with Israel and its choices regarding internal security.”

When pressed on whether the Trump administration still supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Gaza conflict, Bruce declined to provide a direct response and referred questions to The White House.

“President Trump is realistic about the current situation,” she said, adding that Gaza is “uninhabitable” and “needs to be rebuilt with the help of Arab partners.”

She noted that although a ceasefire has yet to be agreed, the administration remains hopeful for progress.

Meanwhile, 14 ministers from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud Party sent a letter urging immediate annexation of the West Bank. The letter, made public by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, called for sovereignty over Judea and Samaria to be applied before the Knesset’s summer session concludes on 27 July.

The ministers argued that strong U.S. backing and support from the Trump administration create a “favourable moment” to advance annexation. They warned that recognising settlement blocs while allowing a Palestinian state on the remaining land would pose an “existential threat” to Israel.

Among the signatories were ministers responsible for defence, economy, agriculture, energy, communications, transport, justice, tourism, innovation, culture, diaspora affairs, education, social equality, regional cooperation, and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana

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