Marco Rubio signals U.S. backing for Israel’s annexation plans

By Mathipa Phishego

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the Trump administration will not oppose Israel’s potential annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli officials. The stance, shared in private meetings, reflects Washington’s alignment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for sovereignty extensions in contested territories.

This position appears to be a direct response to recent moves by several Western nations recognizing Palestinian statehood. By signaling tacit support for annexation, Washington is reinforcing its strategic alliance with Israel while challenging the growing wave of international recognition for Palestinian claims.

The decision, however risks destabilizing fragile Middle East alliances. The United Arab Emirates has warned that such a move could dismantle the Abraham Accords, the landmark normalization agreement signed in 2020. Additionally, it could derail ongoing negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, long seen as a breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations.

For Palestinians, annexation would deepen the humanitarian crisis, directly affecting hundreds of thousands living in the West Bank. Critics warn it could fuel tensions and ignite new cycles of unrest.

While Rubio’s remarks strengthen ties between Washington and Jerusalem, they come at the cost of jeopardizing regional diplomacy. The decision underscores the delicate balance between supporting Israel’s ambitions and preserving peace efforts in the Middle East.