United States President Donald Trump has voiced opposition to Israel’s latest measures to expand its control over the occupied West Bank, a White House official confirmed.
According to Reuters, the official stated on Monday that the stability of the West Bank is essential for Israel’s security and contributes to the broader goal of establishing peace in the region.
The controversy follows announcements last Sunday by Israel’s hardline right-wing Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Their statements outlined a series of new measures designed to increase Israeli authority over Palestinian territories. The initiatives are expected to make it easier for Israeli settlers to acquire land in the West Bank, despite international law considering such settlements illegal.
The announcements have drawn widespread criticism internationally. In this context, the White House clarified that President Trump does not endorse Israel’s new measures.
In addition to the United States’ concern, eight Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s actions on Monday. The countries—Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—asserted that the measures represent an attempt to illegally impose Israeli authority on Palestinian lands.
According to their statement, Israel’s objectives include solidifying settlement activities and introducing new legal and administrative realities in the West Bank, undermining prospects for Palestinian sovereignty.
International reactions have been swift and critical:
| Institution / Country | Reaction | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| United Nations (Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General) | Condemnation | Steps destabilise the region and threaten the viability of a two-state solution |
| United Kingdom | Criticism | Expressed concern over escalation of settlements |
| Spain | Criticism | Highlighted illegality under international law |
| Eight Muslim-majority countries | Joint condemnation | Accused Israel of illegally imposing authority and facilitating settler expansion |
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, emphasised that Israel’s measures risk further destabilising the region and undermining prospects for a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
The joint statement from the eight Muslim-majority nations also warned that the measures pave the way for the displacement of Palestinian populations from their ancestral lands, intensifying the humanitarian and political challenges in the occupied territories.
As international criticism mounts, the Trump administration’s position signals a rare divergence from Israel’s right-wing government, highlighting the complexities of US foreign policy in the Middle East. The White House has reiterated that maintaining stability in the West Bank is crucial not only for Israel’s security but also for advancing a lasting peace in the region.
