Peloni: Bibi must hold to declaring sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. He should do this both because of the Europeans declaration of a Palestinian state and in spite of it. He should do so because of Trump’s longstanding support of Israel and in spite of his declaration that it will not happen. He should do so because it needed to have been done decades ago and in spite of the fact that it was not done before October 7. Sovereignty is a measure of a nation’s independence, and if Israel is not both free and capable of making such a basic choice on its own, it becomes no more than a Galut state of Jews. With respect, and with determination, Israel must make its stand on this point and not surrender. No matter the cost, Israel will survive doing so, whereas capitulation to Trump, regional threats, and European connivances, will spell its certain destruction.
Trump says he wants Gaza War ‘over with’, expresses optimism that deal can be reached
Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikipedia
Amid speculations over Israel’s possible response to a wave of “Palestine” recognitions, U.S. President Donald Trump declared Thursday that he wouldn’t allow Israel to annex Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was asked to confirm reports that he promised Arab and Muslim leaders to prevent Israeli annexations in the area, as many of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition partners are demanding.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump said. “Whether I spoke with Bibi or not — and I did — I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. That’s enough. It’s time to stop now.”
He later said that he had “a good conversation with Netanyahu. A hostage deal could happen soon,” repeating an earlier comment that the US is “close to getting some kind of deal done” in the Gaza Strip after a “great” meeting with the leaders of eight Arab and Muslim countries discussing the future of the enclave.
Trump’s statements came shortly after Netanyahu arrived in New York City ahead of a speech to the U.N. assembly. He is also set to meet with Trump to discuss the Gaza War, and the U.S. plan that was presented to the Arab and Muslim leaders earlier this week.
After the meeting, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said he expects a “breakthrough” in the negotiations about the plan that aims to bring about the end of the war in Gaza and for a new administration that would take over governance from Hamas.
“I have to meet with Israel. They know what I want. I think we can get that one done. I hope we can get that done. A lot of people are dying,” Trump said Thursday.
“I’m going to have to tell Israel, ‘Let’s go,’” he added. “We want to get the hostages back,” Trump continued. “We want them all back at one time.”
“Everyone wants to see that war over with. We’re going to see what happens,” said Trump.
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and hawkish members of Netanyahu’s own Likud Party have urged him to declare the annexation of at least symbolic parts of Judea and Samaria in response to the unilateral recognition of the “State of Palestine” by the UK, France and other nations this week.
Trump’s comments were met with criticism on Friday morning. Dan Illouz, a Knesset Member for the Likud, wrote on X, “We love and appreciate President Trump for standing by Israel over the years. But the State of Israel is a sovereign nation, and the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria—our historic homeland—is a decision of the Jewish people alone.”
“No international entity, even if it is a great and beloved friend, can dictate to us how to treat our land,” he said.
Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, called on Netanyahu to defy Trump’s statement.
“A sympathetic American administration is not an administration that imposes sovereignty or builds in our place; it is an administration with which you can reach agreements and with which you can have disagreements.”
“The responsibility is on Netanyahu. He is the Prime Minister, the one we elected — and he must declare at the UN: this is our land, I am doing what is critical for Israel’s continued existence after October 7 and I am applying full sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The majority of the people expect this; most of the nation will not relent on it,” Dagan stated.
I hope that Trump, a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people, is merely paying lip service to recent Arab demands to pressure Israel not to restore its rightful sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. When push comes to shove, I hope Bibi will use his God-given talents of persuasion to convince Trump to leave the ultimate decision in Israel’s hands!
Trump should bear in mind that the Saudis themselves only pay lip service to Palestinian Arab aspirations to convert Judea and Samaria into another Islamic terrorist state that will hasten the demise of Israel.
While Trump sincerely believes God saved him from an assassin’s bullet for a time such as this, I am certain that God would not appreciate Trump countermanding His decision to grant the children of Israel title to Judea and Samaria, the heart and soul of the Promised Land!
By what far fetched idiotic idea does Trump believe he has the aughtority, or power to INSIST Israel do anything he commands??? Israel is a soveriegn democratic country….From what leader of a foreign country should/would OUR prrsident take ordders from regarding national security??? As far as a 2 state…tht’s like suggesting aftr 9/11 – ISIS should be given and to own a territory ajacent to Washington D.C.
I agree with Peloni, Smotrich, and Dagan: This is Israel’s land and it is Israel’s decision.
You can envision Trump trying to get to a deal with the Arab countries to run Gaza, and NOT have Israel in control of Gaza, by saying “No” to J&S. But I don’t agree with the idea of Gaza being run by a bunch of Muslim countries that are themselves more invested in killing Jews, than in keeping any kind of peace with Israel. There is history to prove it: Egypt with a so-called peace treaty with Israel knew about Oct 7th in advance and never told Israel, currently has tanks in the Sinai ready for war with Israel. Lebanon allowed Hezbollah to attack Israel at will for years despite a peace treaty with Israel. There is no Muslim country that can be trusted with protecting Israel’s national security. That is like trusting a thief to protect your family’s diamonds. So there is no upside to Israel and all downside for Israel to acquiescing to Trump’s “no’ to J & S.
I am surprised that Trump would even think he could pass something like that off as a non-laughable peace contract.
Anyone here have access to a reputable poll of Israeli Jews as to the annexation of Shomron and Yehuda (Ayosh) or the “West Bank” to Jordanians and Macron/Starmer?
I found this:
“According to the survey, 56% of Israelis back responding to growing international recognition of unilateral Palestinian statehood by applying Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, with 38% opposed.”
From this source – read whole story
https://worldisraelnews.com/majority-of-israelis-back-annexation-of-judea-samaria-and-gaza/
That is interesting. Israelis may dislike Bibi, but they want their ancient homeland back. Good!!!!
@John Galt IV Given that a sold majority is on the right, I wish the polls would specify why they don’t like Bibi at the moment especially since his poll numbers were through the roof after the Iran strike. Who conducted this poll? Even Arutz Sheva tends to use Maariv as opposed to JNS which uses the more accurate Direct Polling of Channel 14, which however conducts polls less frequently.
The post Iran poll was conducted by Kan which an article said both left and right want banned from the media group, which I don’t understand..
There needs to be more ongoing investigation and transparency of the media.