US Signals Non-Opposition to Israeli West Bank Annexation Amid Palestinian Statehood Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated in private meetings that the U.S. will not oppose Israel if it formally annexes parts of the West Bank, a move Israeli officials are contemplating in response to Western countries' plans to recognize a Palestinian state. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed annexing 82% of the West Bank, leaving six Palestinian population centers isolated and initially under the Palestinian Authority before transitioning to local administrations to prevent a unified Palestinian entity. Rubio has also expressed strong opposition to any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, telling French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot that such recognition would reward Hamas and hinder hostage recovery efforts. In contrast, while the U.S. criticized France for its recognition plans, it refrained from publicly rebuking the UK despite similar intentions. Additionally, the Trump administration, under Rubio's direction, has barred Palestinian Authority officials and other Palestinians holding P.A. passports from entering the U.S. for the upcoming U.N. General Assembly, aiming to undermine efforts promoting Palestinian statehood and drawing criticism for broadly restricting Palestinian movement. These actions reflect a coordinated U.S. policy supporting Israel's territorial claims while opposing international moves toward Palestinian recognition.