During a meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday, former President Donald Trump reportedly made assurances that he would prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from annexing the West Bank, a territory currently under Israeli occupation.
The diplomatic gathering in New York occurred as Netanyahu prepares for his fourth White House visit this year, where he is expected to seek American backing for Israeli annexation of portions of the West Bank. This potential move comes as Netanyahu’s response to several Western nations’ recognition of Palestinian statehood. While US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has previously indicated America might not oppose such annexation and has voiced support for
controversial Jewish settlements, Trump’s reported stance marks a significant position.
Before his UN appearance, Netanyahu maintained his firm opposition to Palestinian statehood, stating that some leaders’ “shameful
capitulation to Palestinian terror” would not influence Israel’s position, emphasizing that “there will be no Palestinian state.”
The meeting also addressed potential solutions to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about an imminent breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations, sources quoted by Haaretz suggested that such an agreement was not close to materialization, with no indication that Trump would pressure Netanyahu to halt military operations.
The credibility of Trump’s assurances may face skepticism from Arab and Muslim leaders, given recent events. The former president’s role in allegedly using Iran negotiations as cover for Israel’s military actions, along with questions about his knowledge of Israel’s attacks on Hamas leaders in Qatar during ceasefire discussions, has strained diplomatic trust. Israeli officials have stated that Trump was informed about the Qatar operation beforehand and did not object.
The high-level meeting included representatives from various nations including Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, the UAE, and Jordan. Following the discussions, these officials released a statement through the Qatari Foreign Ministry expressing their commitment to collaboration with Trump. They emphasized the urgent need to end the conflict and achieve an immediate ceasefire that would facilitate hostage release and ensure adequate humanitarian aid delivery, viewing these steps as crucial toward establishing lasting peace.
The statement highlighted their willingness to work with Trump, specifically noting the importance of his leadership in ending the war and creating opportunities for sustainable peace negotiations. This diplomatic engagement comes at a critical time as regional tensions continue to escalate and humanitarian concerns in Gaza remain pressing.
The gathering underscores the complex dynamics of Middle East peace efforts, with Trump positioning himself as a potential mediator while navigating the delicate balance between Israeli interests and Arab world concerns. The discussion of West Bank annexation and Gaza conflict resolution reflects the interconnected nature of regional peace challenges, as international stakeholders seek pathways toward stability in the face of ongoing territorial disputes and humanitarian crises.
The meeting’s outcomes suggest continued diplomatic efforts to address both immediate conflict resolution needs and longer-term territorial questions, though significant obstacles remain in achieving concrete progress on either front. The willingness of Arab and Muslim leaders to engage in dialogue while expressing clear expectations for peace processes indicates the persistent search for diplomatic solutions despite recent setbacks in regional stability.