‘End something that shouldn’t have started’: Donald Trump pledges to block Israel’s West Bank annexation; ceasefire still uncertain

US President Donald Trump assured Arab and Muslim leaders throughout a gathering on Tuesday that he wouldn’t allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the West Financial institution, as per sources conversant in the dialogue, stories Politico. Forward of his assembly with representatives from eight Arab and Muslim international locations at United Nations headquarters, Trump advised reporters it was his “most necessary” engagement of the day. “We wish to finish the conflict in Gaza. We’re going to finish it. Possibly we are able to finish it proper now,” Trump mentioned earlier than the assembly.

“That is my most necessary assembly,” he added. “However that is the one which’s essential to me as a result of we’re going to finish one thing that ought to have in all probability by no means began.”The assembly included representatives from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

Trump stands agency on West Financial institution

Two sources mentioned Trump was steadfast in his stance, assuring that Israel wouldn’t be allowed to annex the West Financial institution, which is underneath the Palestinian Authority moderately than Hamas. One other supply famous that regardless of this assurance, a ceasefire to finish Israel’s practically two-year battle with Hamas remained removed from settlement.Two extra sources mentioned Trump and his workforce offered a white paper detailing the administration’s plan to finish the conflict, together with the annexation pledge in addition to proposals for governance and postwar safety, as cited by Politico.After the assembly, Trump waved to reporters with out commenting, and the White Home didn’t present an instantaneous assertion.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to as the assembly “fruitful” in a Fox Information Channel interview Tuesday night, although he didn’t present additional particulars. Erdogan and Trump are scheduled to fulfill once more on the White Home on Thursday.Arab leaders have beforehand expressed frustration over Trump’s opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state and his ongoing help for Netanyahu’s offensive in opposition to Hamas, which intensified earlier this month when Israel focused Hamas officers in Qatar throughout peace talks.Arab and European officers have warned that formally annexing the West Financial institution would successfully finish any remaining prospects for a two-state answer, with Arab states insisting it’s a crimson line that may block additional Israeli integration into the Center East.