Divided Land: Trump's Veto on Israel's West Bank Annexation
In the scorching summer of 2025, the Israeli government approved a contentious plan to expand the Maale Adumim settlement in the West Bank. The move sparked widespread condemnation from international leaders and human rights groups, who argued that it would effectively cut the territory in two. But just as tensions were reaching a boiling point, US President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell: he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
"I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank," Trump declared in the Oval Office, his words echoing through the corridors of power in Jerusalem and Ramallah. "It's not going to happen."
For Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, the news was met with a mix of emotions: relief, hope, and skepticism. For decades, they have been fighting for statehood and an end to the settlements that have transformed their ancestral lands into sprawling Israeli enclaves.
"We've been waiting for this moment for so long," said Amira Awad, a Palestinian activist from Hebron. "But we know that words are cheap, and actions speak louder than promises."
The West Bank has been at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 1967, when Israel occupied the territory in the Six-Day War. Since then, Israel has built hundreds of settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law. The Palestinian Authority administers semi-autonomous areas in the West Bank, but its authority is limited by Israeli military checkpoints and restrictions on movement.
The annexation plan, championed by far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, would have effectively erased the 1967 borders and paved the way for Israel to assert control over the entire territory. But Trump's veto has put a hold on the plan, at least for now.
"It's a temporary reprieve," said Gideon Levy, an Israeli journalist and vocal critic of the settlements. "But we need to remember that the occupation is not just about land; it's about people. The Palestinians have been living under military rule for decades, with no end in sight."
For some Israelis, Trump's decision was a betrayal of their country's interests. "We've been trying to assert our sovereignty over this territory for years," said Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, which represents Jewish settlers in the West Bank. "The US president is interfering with Israel's internal affairs."
But others see Trump's move as a pragmatic decision that acknowledges the complexities of the conflict. "We need to find a way to live alongside each other," said Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, a former Israeli general who has been involved in peace negotiations. "The annexation plan was a recipe for disaster; it would have only led to more violence and instability."
As the dust settles on Trump's veto, one thing is clear: the fate of the West Bank remains uncertain. The Palestinian Authority has called for international pressure to be applied on Israel to end the occupation, while Israeli leaders are vowing to find ways around Trump's decision.
For now, the people of the West Bank will continue to live in limbo, caught between two competing visions of their future. But as Amira Awad said, "We won't give up hope. We'll keep fighting for our rights, no matter what."
Sources:
US President Donald Trump's statement on Israel's annexation plan
Israeli government approval of the Maale Adumim settlement expansion
Palestinian Authority condemnation of the annexation plan
Interviews with Amira Awad, Gideon Levy, Yossi Dagan, and Amnon Lipkin-Shahak
*Based on reporting by Dw.*
