Rubio, Vance slam Knesset vote for West Bank annexation

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said Israeli lawmakers’ vote to annex the West Bank posed a potential threat to the Israel-Hamas peace deal. In helping to broker the deal, President Donald Trump had made clear that the United States did not support annexation, he said. The Knesset gave initial approval on Wednesday to two bills that would impose Israeli sovereignty on the West Bank and annex a major settlement there, according to The Times of Israel.

Vice President J.D. Vance also condemned the move, characterizing it as an insult, according to the Associated Press. Vance was scheduled to leave Israel on Thursday after spending several days working to smooth the peace process. Israel and Hamas have exchanged several strikes since the tenuous ceasefire began Oct. 10.

What did the Israeli prime minister say about the votes? The measures were instigated by opposition politicians as a provocation and to sow discord during Vance’s visit, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Only one lawmaker from Netanyahu’s Likud party voted for the measures, the office said. However, Israeli fact checkers on social media said the majority of votes in favor of the measure imposing Israeli sovereignty came from Knesset members whose parties are part of the prime minister’s coalition government.

With Vance leaving Israel, who will help guide ceasefire progress? Experienced State Department staff would be assigned to Israel to assist with ceasefire coordination, Rubio said on Wednesday. They would replace Vance, special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, and others who needed to prioritize affairs in other countries, Rubio said.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report for more on Vance’s Israel trip.