In Unequivocal Terms, Trump Forbids Israeli Land Grab

Using unequivocal terms, Donald Trump has forbidden what critics have long called an Israeli “land grab” in the West Bank. The president’s statement that he “will not allow” annexation is a powerful rejection of the policy pushed by Israeli hardliners to formally absorb the occupied territory.
This clear prohibition was delivered as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arriving in the United States, immediately setting a confrontational tone for his visit. Netanyahu is now in the difficult position of having his government’s key policy objective publicly blocked by its main benefactor.
Trump’s unequivocal stance appears to be the direct outcome of a successful international lobbying effort. European powers, who had recently recognized Palestine, were concerned about a potential retaliatory move from the US. Their diplomatic outreach, combined with dire warnings from Arab nations about regional instability, seems to have been decisive.
The “land grab” in question involves the West Bank, where 700,000 Israeli settlers live in communities built on land captured in 1967. The international community overwhelmingly views these settlements as illegal and a primary obstacle to the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
This move to forbid the annexation is also playing out against the backdrop of a major US peace initiative for Gaza. A 21-point plan has been proposed to end the nearly two-year war. By taking a hard line on the West Bank, Trump may be aiming to build trust with Arab partners whose support is essential for resolving the catastrophic Gaza conflict.