Jerusalem, Oct 23 (AP) - U.S. Vice President JD Vance has expressed criticism over the Israeli parliament's recent vote concerning the annexation of the West Bank, describing it as an “insult” that contradicts the Trump administration's policies and disrupts efforts to maintain the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
On Wednesday, Israel's parliament narrowly advanced a symbolic preliminary vote supporting the annexation of the occupied West Bank. This move appears to be an attempt to embarrass Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Vance's visit to the region.
The bill is backed by hard-liners in the parliament, with only one member from Netanyahu's Likud Party supporting it. Despite Netanyahu's opposition, the bill is unlikely to pass the required series of votes to become law.
Although many in Netanyahu's coalition, including Likud, favor annexation, they have stepped back from advocating for it since U.S. President Donald Trump declared his opposition last month. The United Arab Emirates, a key ally of both the U.S. and Israel in pursuing peace in Gaza, has labeled any annexation by Israel as a “red line.”
Before departing Israel from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, Vance remarked that if the Knesset vote was merely a “political stunt,” it was a “very stupid political stunt.”
“I personally take some insult to it,” Vance stated. “The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”
The Palestinians aim to include the West Bank, seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as part of their prospective independent state. Israel's annexation of the West Bank would effectively thwart the possibility of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, an outcome supported by most of the international community.
Intense U.S. Push Toward Peace
Earlier in the week, Vance announced the establishment of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, where around 200 U.S. troops collaborate with the Israeli military and delegations from other countries to plan the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed journalists at Joint Base Andrews late Wednesday of his intentions to visit the center and appoint a Foreign Service official to work with Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the leading U.S. military commander in the Middle East.
The U.S. is striving to garner support from other allies, particularly Gulf Arab nations, to form an international stabilization force to deploy to Gaza and train a Palestinian police force not affiliated with Hamas.
“We'd like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped,” Rubio stated.
Rubio, preparing to meet with Netanyahu later on Thursday, also criticized Israeli far-right lawmakers for their efforts to promote the annexation of the West Bank.
Israeli media have dubbed the non-stop stream of American officials ensuring Israel complies with the ceasefire as “Bibi-sitting.” The term, referencing Netanyahu’s nickname, “Bibi,” alludes to an old campaign ad portraying Netanyahu as a trustworthy “Bibi-sitter” for voters' children.
In Gaza, A Dire Need for Medical Care
The first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10 has occurred, with the World Health Organization’s head announcing Thursday the evacuation of 41 critical patients and 145 companions from the Gaza Strip.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a statement on X, urged nations to demonstrate solidarity and assist approximately 15,000 patients awaiting approval for medical care outside Gaza.
These calls were echoed by an official from the UN Population Fund, who described Wednesday the "sheer devastation" seen on a recent visit to Gaza, emphasizing that there is no “normal birth in Gaza now.”
Andrew Saberton, an executive director at UNFPA, shared the challenges faced due to the absence of functioning healthcare facilities.
“I was not fully prepared for what I saw. The sheer extent of the devastation resembled a set from a dystopian film. Unfortunately, it is not fiction,” Saberton recounted.
He further noted that Palestinian women frequently lack access to hospitals and private spaces, leading to instances of giving birth amidst the rubble and roadside.
Court Hearing on Journalists’ Access to Gaza
Separate from these developments, Israel's Supreme Court convened a hearing Thursday to determine whether to grant international media access to the Gaza Strip, giving the state 30 days to reconsider its stance in light of the ongoing ceasefire.
Israel has prohibited reporters from entering Gaza since hostilities began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Foreign Press Association, representing various international news agencies including The Associated Press, had petitioned the court to mandate border access for journalists.
Following the court’s decision, the FPA voiced “disappointment” over Israel’s stance to deny access, deeming it “unacceptable.”
The court had previously rejected the FPA's request early in the conflict, citing the government’s security concerns. The group made a subsequent request in September 2024, though government actions have continuously delayed the case.
Palestinian journalists, while covering the two-year conflict for international media, have faced severe movement restrictions and consistent threats due to food shortages and displacement. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, roughly 200 Palestinian journalists have perished due to Israeli fire.
Chairperson Tania Kraemer of the FPA remarked, “It is time for Israel to lift the closure and let us do our work alongside our Palestinian colleagues.” (AP) SKS SKS
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