U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting pressure from Israeli far-right politicians as Arab and Muslim leaders warned of grave regional consequences.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump declared, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.”
His comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, after weeks of mounting pressure from his coalition allies to extend sovereignty over Palestinian land.
France, Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal have recently formally recognised Palestinian statehood in the last few days - a move condemned by Israel but praised by Arab leaders as necessary to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.
About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Most of the international community views settlements as illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes.
Trump has faced strong warnings from Saudi Arabia and other regional powers that annexation would destabilise the Middle East further.
Gaza conflict
Alongside the West Bank dispute, Washington has circulated a 21-point peace plan to leaders from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan aimed at ending the nearly two-year Gaza war.
Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu and Arab leaders this week and signalled optimism.
“We want the hostages back, we want the bodies back and we want to have peace in that region. So we had some very good talks,” Trump said.
Israel has pressed deeper into Gaza City, while aid flotillas, The Global Sumud Flotilla, containing around 50 civilian boats, supported by Italy and Spain navy ships, continue attempts to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Strip.
These boats are in reaction to reports that part of Gaza is suffering from famine according to a global hunger monitor.
Israel insists control of the West Bank and its settlement network is vital for security, especially after Hamas’ deadly 7 October, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. About 20 hostages are still believed to be alive.
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U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, rejecting pressure from Israeli far-right politicians as A...
The Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang speaking on behalf of President Xi Jinping, has blamed tariff hikes for the global economic slow down, urging greater cooperation among nations to remedy the situation.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that reconnaissance drones had breached Ukrainian airspace, based on an initial military assessment indicating that they had flown from Hungary to survey the industrial capacity of areas along Ukraine’s western border.
Denmark has no intention of invoking NATO's Article 4 following drone incursions near both civilian and military sites that led to the closure of air traffic in the country earlier this week, according to Denmark's foreign minister on Friday.
Cargo transportation from China through Kazakhstan could reach 35 million tonnes by 2025, marking a record figure and significantly enhancing the country’s role as a key transport hub in the Eurasian region.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that reconnaissance drones had breached Ukrainian airspace, based on an initial military assessment indicating that they had flown from Hungary to survey the industrial capacity of areas along Ukraine’s western border.
Denmark has no intention of invoking NATO's Article 4 following drone incursions near both civilian and military sites that led to the closure of air traffic in the country earlier this week, according to Denmark's foreign minister on Friday.
The Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang speaking on behalf of President Xi Jinping, has blamed tariff hikes for the global economic slow down, urging greater cooperation among nations to remedy the situation.
Romania is looking to collaborate with Ukraine on developing drones through a new European Union defence funding initiative. However, it will take at least seven years before the country has a multi-layered air defence system, according to a government source.
Indonesia’s golden visa scheme is strengthening the country’s position as a hub for global investment and talent, offering long-term residency and incentives to those seeking to engage with Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
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