Vance and Rubio Rebuke Israeli Parliament’s West Bank Annexation Vote

Senior U.S. officials Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have publicly criticised Israel’s preliminary parliamentary vote that moves toward applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank a symbolic yet controversial step that could derail ongoing U.S.-brokered peace efforts.

Washington’s Response

Speaking at the end of his visit to Israel, Vance dismissed the Knesset’s decision as “a very stupid political stunt,” asserting that annexation is not U.S. policy and will not be permitted under the Trump administration’s Middle East peace framework.
“The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel,” Vance said, adding that such moves threaten stability and undermine the Gaza peace process.

Secretary Rubio echoed these concerns before departing Washington, warning that annexation would “threaten President Trump’s peace deal” and strain relations with key Arab partners. He later reiterated that annexation efforts would be “counterproductive” to U.S. diplomacy.

Israeli Leadership Distances Itself
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office swiftly released a statement condemning the vote as “a deliberate political provocation by the opposition.” It clarified that Netanyahu’s Likud Party and its coalition allies did not support the bill, except for “one disgruntled member recently dismissed from a committee chairmanship.”

The prime minister’s office emphasized that without Likud support, the measure “is unlikely to go anywhere.” The statement, notably issued in English, appeared aimed at reassuring Washington amid rising tensions over the bill.

Details of the Bill
The proposed legislation, which narrowly passed its first reading by 25 votes to 24, seeks to extend Israeli civil law to parts of the occupied West Bank, territory Palestinians envision as the core of a future independent state.
The measure must still pass through the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee and three additional readings before becoming law, though observers doubt it has enough backing in the 120-seat Knesset.

Palestinian and International Reaction
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the move, declaring that Israel “has no sovereignty over Palestinian land.”

Internationally, the bill has reignited debates over the legality of Israeli settlements. About 160 settlements now house 700,000 Israelis across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, alongside 3.3 million Palestinians. The International Court of Justice reaffirmed in 2024 that such settlements violate international law.

Peace Process at a Crossroads
Rubio’s trip followed visits by Vance and U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, part of Washington’s push for the second stage of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan.
The first stage, including a ceasefire, partial Israeli troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid access, has held despite sporadic violence. The upcoming phase envisions an interim Gaza government, an international stabilization force, and Hamas disarmament.

Rubio struck a cautious tone, saying, “There’ll be daily threats, but I think we’re ahead of schedule. Making it through the weekend was a good sign.”

Conclusion
While Israel’s annexation vote may be largely symbolic, its timing has rattled Washington and regional partners alike. With 68,000 Palestinians reported killed since the start of the Gaza war, the fragile peace process now hinges on whether political posturing can give way to sustained diplomacy.