The post As he departs Israel, Vance calls initial Knesset vote on annexing West Bank ‘very stupid political stunt; I personally take some insult’ appeared first on The Times of Israel.

According to the proposal, “the laws, judicial system, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel shall apply to all areas of settlement in Judea and Samaria. ” The Knesset approved advancing a bill to apply Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank on Wednesday.

Donald Trump will be the first American president to address the Knesset, Israel's parliament, on Monday morning around 4:00 a.m. ET. He will also meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the families of hostages set to be released that day before traveling the Egypt for the final "peace summit" in Egypt.

"The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel," Vice President JD Vance said.

A joint statement signed by 16 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Egypt, strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval of two draft laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and illegal Israeli colonial settlements.

"Israel’s population decreased by 29,700 citizens due to emigration; in 2023, by 58,600 people; and in 2024, up to August, by 36,900 Israelis," a Knesset Research and Information Center member said. A report showing a spike in citizens leaving Israel since 2022,

U.S. President Donald Trump is dismissing the Knesset vote on West Bank annexation. Trump brushed aside a question about a symbolic vote in the Israeli parliament about annexing the West Bank at the White House on Thursday.