On Thursday, Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized a recent vote by the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, which sought to advance a bill concerning the proposed annexation of the occupied West Bank. He labeled the legislative move a "very stupid political stunt" during a press briefing at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport as he concluded his visit to the country.
Vance expressed that he personally felt insulted by the vote, emphasizing, "The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel." He reiterated that the policy stance of the Trump administration remains unchanged, asserting that the West Bank will not be annexed. "If people want to take symbolic votes, they can do that, but we certainly weren't happy about it," he added, reflecting a strong disapproval of the parliamentary decision.
The preliminary vote, which took place on Wednesday during Vice President Vance's visit, narrowly passed with a count of 25 votes in favor and 24 against. Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also condemned the vote, describing it as a "deliberate political provocation" by opposition members aimed at creating discord during Vance's visit. Netanyahu's team pointed out that without the support of Vance's party in the Knesset, the annexation bills are unlikely to progress further.
The Prime Minister is currently navigating a domestic political landscape fraught with challenges, including the threat of an early national election. Some factions within his far-right coalition government are dissatisfied with the recent U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which has faced considerable challenges over the weekend, with both sides alleging violations of the agreement.
While several members of Netanyahu's coalition endorse the idea of annexing the West Bank, public demands for such actions have diminished since President Trump voiced his opposition to the idea last month. The proposed annexation bill would require at least two more rounds of voting in Israel’s 120-seat parliament, a challenge that many believe it is unlikely to overcome.
During his remarks, Vice President Vance articulated a hope for the establishment of an international security force tasked with disarming Hamas, a crucial step that both Israel and Trump regard as essential in the peace process. Vance expressed optimism about the potential for rapid reconstruction in areas of Gaza where Hamas no longer operates. He stated, "This is all still pretty early, but that's the basic idea," emphasizing the need to restore stability and opportunity for Gazans.
He elaborated on his vision for rebuilding, suggesting that efforts should focus on areas free from Hamas control, with plans to quickly initiate reconstruction projects. "We need to start bringing in the Gazans so that they can live there, so they can have good jobs and hopefully some security and comfort, too, very quickly," he said. Vance specifically highlighted the southern city of Rafah, expressing hopes that it could be rebuilt within two to three years.
