The United States has warned Israel that the preliminary approval of a West Bank annexation bill by the Israeli parliament poses a serious threat to the peace process. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that such a move could severely undermine Washington’s ongoing efforts to restore peace in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters before departing for Israel on Wednesday, Rubio stated,
“At this moment, any proposal to annex the West Bank is not supportable. It would put the current peace process at risk.”
Recently, several far-right members of the Israeli Knesset granted initial approval to a symbolic bill that could pave the legal path for annexing the West Bank. Analysts believe the move was primarily intended to put political pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, is claimed by Palestinians as part of their future independent state. The International Court of Justice ruled last year that Israel’s occupation was illegal. Although Netanyahu had previously voiced support for annexation, he refrained from implementing it to avoid damaging relations with the United States and Arab nations.
The bill passed its first reading by 25 votes to 24, but it remains uncertain whether it can secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. Analysts say the Prime Minister may still choose to delay the legislative process.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the Knesset’s decision, saying that Israel has no sovereign right over Palestinian territory. Currently, there are about 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, home to over 700,000 Israeli settlers and around 3.3 million Palestinians—settlements that are considered illegal under international law.
Rubio warned that “any step toward annexation could halt the progress of the current ceasefire.” He added that the U.S. has already begun planning the second phase of the Gaza peace process, which includes establishing an interim government, deploying an international peacekeeping force, and disarming Hamas.
Source: BBC