Israeli fears of igniting a crisis with Trump over the West Bank annexation law

The Israeli radio reported today, Thursday, that the Prime Minister's office fears that passing the law to enhance the occupation of the West Bank in the Israeli Knesset could ignite a crisis with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Knesset approved on July 23rd a proposal to annex the West Bank, with a majority of 71 out of 120 members, a move that was condemned by the Palestinian presidency and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which described it as void and illegitimate and undermining the chances for peace and a two-state solution.

The Times of Israel reported at the end of September that an Israeli official said that the Trump administration secretly warned Tel Aviv against the "annexation" of the occupied West Bank in response to the decision of several Western countries to recognize the State of Palestine.

The Israeli official, described by the newspaper as senior, indicated that Tel Aviv does not see this warning as "the end of the discussion," and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – wanted by the International Criminal Court – intends to discuss the matter with Trump during their meeting at the White House.

Trump confirmed in press statements last month that he would not allow Israel to enhance its occupation of the West Bank, stating, "I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank... It will not happen."

Trump was also asked if he had warned Netanyahu against taking this step, to which he replied, "Whether I spoke to him or not... I did, but I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank... It is time to stop now."

So far, the Trump administration has avoided taking a public stance on Israel's enhancement of its occupation of the West Bank or what it calls "annexation and imposition of sovereignty" over it, arguing that Western countries are responsible for Tel Aviv's consideration of this step due to their decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

Last month, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, and Andorra officially announced their recognition of the State of Palestine, following a similar recognition from Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal.

In response to those recognitions, Israeli ministers urged Netanyahu to "annex" the occupied West Bank, which European countries warned Israel against doing.