Trump rules out Israeli annexation of West Bank

US President Donald Trump has reiterated comments made by Vice President JD Vance that the US will oppose Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank.

“It won’t happen. It won’t happen. It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can’t do that now,” Trump said in an interview with Time Magazine.

“We’ve had great Arab support. It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. It will not happen. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.”

Earlier on Thursday, Vance slammed a Knesset vote on annexation, saying it was an "insult" and dismissing it as a "political stunt with no practical significance".

On Wednesday, a bill to impose Israeli sovereignty on the West Bank - a move tantamount to annexation of Palestinian territory - received parliamentary approval.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned against annexation, saying it was “potentially threatening for the peace deal".