U.S. officials: Decision on West Bank annexation in Israel’s hands

Several Israeli officials told the Jerusalem Post that the possibility of applying sovereignty “over certain areas” is being studied seriously, but Netanyahu has not yet made a final decision.

In recent weeks, senior U.S. officials have told their Israeli counterparts that “the decision on sovereignty is Israel’s to make,” according to two people familiar with the discussions.

The two sources told the Jerusalem Post that although this message was not a full green light for any step, it was not a red light either. One official said: “The Americans tell Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials: decide first what you want, then talk to us.”

In August, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson — who is third in the line of succession in the U.S. government — visited the West Bank on a trip organized by the head of the settlers’ council, Israel Gantz, and the America-Israel Educational Foundation. During his visit he met Netanyahu and said: “Judea and Samaria are part of Israel. We are working to stop using the term ‘West Bank’ in the administration, in Congress and in the federal government.”

Axios confirmed that Israel is seriously studying a plan to annex about 60% of the West Bank, a move diplomatic sources linked to the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump. The site quoted a European official as saying that France and other countries would impose sanctions on Israel if it went ahead with the annexation.