Knesset Advances Symbolic West Bank Annexation 25–24

Vice President J.D. Vance denounced a narrow Knesset preliminary vote to advance annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank as “a very stupid political stunt,” saying he was personally insulted and reiterating that the Trump administration opposes Israeli annexation. The symbolic measure passed 25–24 in a first reading but still requires committee approval and additional readings to become law, making final passage unlikely without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s backing. Netanyahu’s office and the Likud party called the bills an opposition provocation and said they would use parliamentary procedures to block them, even as some coalition and far‑right lawmakers supported the initiative. U.S. officials warned the move could jeopardize the fragile Gaza ceasefire and broader regional agreements such as the Abraham Accords, and President Trump has publicly pledged not to allow West Bank annexation. Vance said the Gaza ceasefire was largely holding and urged international efforts — including security arrangements to disarm Hamas and possible U.S. participation in stabilization and reconstruction — to help make the truce stick.