Trump warns Israel on West Bank move
President Donald Trump warned Israel would forfeit American support if it annexes the West Bank. The president made these remarks in a Time magazine telephone interview conducted on Oct. 15 and released on Thursday. Trump said he promised Arab nations Israel would not take such action and emphasized strong Arab backing for his position. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed concerns about annexation during recent visits to the region.
Trump expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia will join the Abraham Accords before the year’s end. He noted that obstacles related to Gaza and Iran no longer prevent the agreement. The president said he will decide whether Israel should free Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti as part of peace efforts. Israeli lawmakers advanced two annexation bills as Vance concluded his trip and Rubio arrived, prompting criticism from both officials about threats to the fragile Gaza ceasefire.
