US Vice President JD Vance Criticizes Israel’s Parliament Vote on West Bank Annexation
US Vice President JD Vance has criticized Israel’s parliament vote on West Bank annexation, describing it as an “insult” to the US administration’s efforts to maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Vance’s remarks came as he concluded his visit to Israel on Thursday, during which he emphasized the importance of a partnership between the US and Israel.
Vance’s comments were made in response to a preliminary vote by the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, to annex the occupied West Bank. The vote, which passed with a narrow margin of 25-24, has been met with opposition from the US, with President Donald Trump’s administration making it clear that they do not support the move. According to Vance, “The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”
An Intense US Push for Peace
The US has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Earlier this week, Vance announced the opening of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, where US troops are working alongside Israeli military personnel and delegations from other countries to plan the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced plans to visit the center and appoint a Foreign Service official to work alongside the top US military commander in the Middle East, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper.
The US is seeking support from other allies, particularly Gulf Arab nations, to create an international stabilization force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force. As Rubio noted, “We’d like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped.” The US has made it clear that they oppose efforts by far-right politicians in the Israeli parliament to annex the West Bank, with Trump stating that such a move would be “potentially threatening to the peace deal.”
Vance Visits Holy Sepulcher and Meets with Israeli Officials
During his visit to Israel, Vance also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City, a site considered sacred by Christians. He was accompanied by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he discussed the importance of maintaining a partnership between the US and Israel. As Vance noted, “We don’t want in Israel a vassal state, and that’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership, we want an ally.”
Vance’s visit to Israel was seen as an effort to ease concerns that the US was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East. As Netanyahu noted, “We want a partnership, we want an ally, and we want to work together to achieve our common goals.”
Palestinians in Gaza in Dire Need of Medical Care
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians in need of medical care. According to the World Health Organization, 41 critical patients and 145 companions were evacuated from the Gaza Strip in the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on October 10. The organization’s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called on nations to show solidarity and help the estimated 15,000 patients still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has been described as “sheer devastation” by Andrew Saberton, an executive director at the UN Population Fund. Saberton noted that the lack of functioning healthcare facilities has made it difficult for the agency to provide assistance, with many women giving birth in rubble or beside the road.
Court Hearing on Journalists’ Access to Gaza
Meanwhile, Israel’s Supreme Court has held a hearing into whether to open the Gaza Strip to international media. The court gave the state 30 days to present a new position in light of the ceasefire. The Foreign Press Association, which represents dozens of international news organizations, has called on the court to order the government to open the border, citing the importance of press freedom and the need for journalists to report on the situation in Gaza.
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