The US Secretary of State has expressed significant concerns regarding a recent move by Israel's parliament towards the annexation of the occupied West Bank. This action could jeopardize Washington's plans aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Senator Marco Rubio, before departing for Israel, emphasized, "That's not something we can be supportive of right now," highlighting the delicate nature of current diplomatic efforts. His visit is part of broader US efforts to reinforce a fragile ceasefire deal in the region.
In a strategic maneuver that appears designed to embarrass Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, far-right politicians within the Knesset have taken a preliminary step to approve a bill that would give Israel the authority to annex parts of the West Bank. This territory has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 and is claimed by the Palestinians as part of a future independent state. Notably, last year, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation illegal, further complicating the political landscape.
Netanyahu has historically supported the annexation of West Bank land; however, he has refrained from moving forward due to concerns over alienating the United States, Israel's most critical ally, as well as Arab nations that have established relations with Israel after decades of conflict. Calls for outright annexation have come from ultra-nationalists within Netanyahu's governing coalition, yet the bill in question originated from members outside the government. It narrowly passed in a 25-24 vote, raising questions about its viability in the 120-seat Knesset. There are mechanisms available for the Prime Minister to delay or potentially defeat the bill.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the Knesset's actions, asserting that Israel would hold no sovereignty over Palestinian land. Since the occupation began, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements, which house around 700,000 Jews, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians reside in close proximity to these settlements. Under international law, these settlements are deemed illegal, a position reinforced by the advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice last year.
As he prepared to board his flight to Israel, Rubio reiterated that any plans for annexation would be counterproductive and detrimental to the ongoing peace process. His remarks echo the US government's opposition to such actions. Rubio's visit follows recent trips by US Vice-President JD Vance and two special envoys, as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to initiate discussions on the second critical phase of a comprehensive 20-point Gaza peace plan.
The first phase of this peace plan, which has been in effect since earlier this month, encompasses a ceasefire, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a significant influx of humanitarian aid. Despite accusations from both Israel and Hamas regarding breaches of the agreement amidst ongoing violence, the ceasefire has largely held. Rubio expressed cautious optimism akin to that of Vance, stating, "Every day there'll be threats to it, but I actually think we're ahead of schedule in terms of bringing it together." He noted that successfully navigating through recent challenges was a positive sign.
The second phase of the peace plan aims to establish an interim government in Gaza, deploy an international stabilization force, withdraw Israeli troops, and facilitate the disarmament of Hamas. The conflict in Gaza escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages. In the ongoing conflict, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that over 68,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, a figure deemed reliable by the United Nations.
