In a bold move, Donald Trump has warned of severing ties with Israel should it proceed with annexing the West Bank, a move that could destabilize the region further amid his push for Middle Eastern peace. Although both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stand against annexation, certain right-wing groups in Jerusalem view occupying the territory as a strategy to prevent Palestinian statehood. Trump emphasized this stance during an interview with Time Magazine, linked to his recent historic peace agreement in Gaza. “Israel would forfeit all U.S. support if they went ahead,” Trump stated. “This won’t occur as I’ve assured Arab nations of this commitment.”

JD Vance, after rushing to Israel amidst renewed hostilities in the Gaza Strip, criticized the Israeli parliament for its recent decision to annex the West Bank. At Tel Aviv’s airport before his departure, Vance expressed his disapproval, labeling the vote as a “very foolish political maneuver” and took it as a “personal affront.” He reaffirmed the Trump administration’s stance that Israel should not annex the West Bank. Analysts suggest the narrow 25-24 symbolic vote was meant to undermine Netanyahu during Vance’s visit.

The prospect of annexation passing through Israel’s Knesset appears slim, given the multiple voting stages required. Netanyahu also has the power to delay the measure if necessary. Trump reassured reporters at a White House event, saying, “There’s no need to worry about the West Bank. Israel won’t take any action there.” The push from far-right Israeli factions to annex the West Bank is troubling, especially as Trump’s fragile peace deal to resolve the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged before departing for Israel on Wednesday that the Knesset vote could jeopardize the agreement to bring an end to the war in Gaza. ‘President Trump has already made it clear that we do not support such moves right now,’ Rubio said. ‘We are concerned about anything that could undermine what we are working on.’ Trump announced in late September a 20-point plan for an end to the war in Gaza with a deadline for Hamas to accept by October 5 with threats of escalation if it was rejected.

The deal was brokered and mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Jordan and included a phased ceasefire, hostage release, demilitarization and reconstruction plan for the war torn Palestinian enclave. In the Time interview, Trump stated emphatically that he was integral to ensuring peace in the Middle East. ‘The most important thing is they have to respect the President of the United States. The Middle East has to understand that. It’s almost the President more than the country,’ he said.

Trump believes a cleaned-up Gaza could attract tourism and has compared it to luxurious destinations including Dubai, Monaco and the French Riviera. His deal includes a lengthy and likely very pricey plan to make war-torn Gaza a sought-after vacation spot. The plan is holding but frangible in the early stages. The ceasefire is active, major hostage exchanges have occurred and aid is flowing into Gaza.

But there are still some outstanding issues straining the deal – like failure to return deceased hostages’ remains and Israeli political moves to annex the other Palestinian enclave in the West Bank. The United Arab Emirates, a key US and Israeli ally in reaching peace in Gaza, insists annexation would be a ‘red line’. Some right-wing members of Israeli Parliament are upset over the ceasefire and believe the Jewish state made too many security sacrifices in the deal.