U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Israel’s recent parliamentary moves toward annexing parts of the West Bank could jeopardize the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal brokered by President Trump. He told reporters the Knesset’s vote to advance two bills—one to apply Israeli sovereignty broadly and another focused on Ma’ale Adumim—risks being “counterproductive” and “threatening” to the peace plan.
Rubio emphasized that while Israel has the democratic right to legislate, annexation at this stage undermines expectations of U.S. support and could destabilize the delicate balance of the ceasefire. His remarks came just as he was preparing for an official trip to Israel, during which he plans high-level talks to shore up U.S. backing for the ceasefire’s implementation.
In Israel, supporters of annexation defended the parliamentary draft laws as legitimate expressions of sovereignty and settlement integration, though critics warn the proposals could derail prospects for long-term peace. Arab states and Palestinian leaders have also voiced sharp opposition, viewing annexation as a violation of international law and a direct attack on Palestinian rights.
