Jordan, UAE Reject Israeli West Bank Annexation Plans

King Abdullah II of Jordan and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan jointly condemned Israeli plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank and expand settlements, reaffirming their absolute refusal of such measures and rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or separation of Palestinian territories. Their stance aligns with the UAE's earlier warning that annexation would cross a "red line," a position that has influenced Israel to halt its annexation proposal to avoid regional isolation and jeopardizing relations established by the 2020 Abraham Accords. Both leaders emphasized the importance of pursuing a two-state solution as the only path to lasting peace and stability in the region, warning that annexation and settlement expansion threaten regional security and undermine international peace efforts. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have reacted strongly to Western recognition of Palestinian statehood, with calls for unilateral Israeli actions in response. The Jordanian king also rejected any notion of Jordan serving as a substitute for displaced Palestinians, pushing back against suggestions from Israeli and American sources. The coordinated opposition from Jordan and the UAE underscores growing regional resistance to Israeli annexation plans and highlights the delicate balance in Middle East diplomacy following recent normalization agreements.