U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s parliament for advancing a symbolic bill supporting West Bank annexation, calling it “an insult” and a move that contradicts the Trump administration’s policy and peace efforts in Gaza.
The Knesset narrowly approved the preliminary measure on Wednesday in a 25-24 vote. The proposal, pushed by far-right lawmakers, appeared aimed at embarrassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was visiting the country. Only one member of Netanyahu’s Likud party supported it, and the bill is unlikely to become law.
Speaking at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before his departure, Vance condemned the vote, saying, “If this was a political stunt, it’s a very stupid one. I personally take some insult to it. The Trump administration’s policy is clear — the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”
Palestinians regard the West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967, as part of their future state. Full annexation would effectively end hopes for a two-state solution, which remains the goal of most world powers. The United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, has also warned that annexation would cross a “red line.”
Meanwhile, Washington continues pushing for stability in Gaza. Earlier this week, Vance announced the creation of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, where about 200 U.S. troops are working with Israeli and allied representatives to plan Gaza’s reconstruction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would soon visit the center and appoint a senior diplomat to coordinate with U.S. military leaders.
Rubio also condemned Israeli hard-liners’ annexation push, saying Trump “has made clear that’s not something we’d support right now—it threatens the peace process.”
During his trip, Vance visited Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher and sought to reassure Israelis that the U.S. does not seek to control them. “We don’t want a vassal state. We want a partner and ally,” he said alongside Netanyahu, who acknowledged differences but emphasized their shared goals.
In Gaza, humanitarian conditions remain dire. The World Health Organization said 41 critically ill patients were evacuated Thursday, while thousands more await treatment. U.N. officials described the region as devastated, with women giving birth in tents and rubble due to destroyed hospitals.
Separately, Israel’s Supreme Court held a hearing on whether to allow foreign journalists into Gaza, giving the state 30 days to respond. The Foreign Press Association expressed disappointment, calling the ongoing media ban “unacceptable.”