Vance Rebukes Israeli Lawmakers Over West Bank Vote During Official Visit
JERUSALEM — U.S. Vice President JD Vance issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s Knesset on Thursday, calling a symbolic vote to annex the West Bank an “insult” to longstanding U.S. policy. Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport before departing Tel Aviv, Vance reaffirmed the Trump administration’s position opposing annexation of the territory.
“I personally take some insult to it,” Vance said. “The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.”
The vote, pushed through by hardline opposition members, narrowly passed 25–24 but remains largely symbolic. Prime Minister Netanyahu opposes the bill and retains procedural tools to block it in future stages. Still, its timing during Vance’s visit has been interpreted as a deliberate political maneuver by the Israeli opposition.
Gaza Reconstruction: U.S. Eyes Multi-Year Plan in ‘Hamas-Free’ Zones
Vance also disclosed new details about U.S. intentions in Gaza, signaling reconstruction efforts could begin in cleared zones such as Rafah within the next two to three years. He estimated the area could eventually support half a million residents if stabilized.
“The hope is to rebuild Rafah over the next two to three years,” he stated, noting that nearly 90% of Gaza’s 2 million residents remain displaced and much of the infrastructure is destroyed.
The estimated $53 billion cost of rebuilding Gaza, based on assessments from the World Bank and U.N., underscores the challenge. The Trump administration is coordinating with Gulf allies to establish a stabilization force and train a new Palestinian police contingent—one not affiliated with Hamas.
U.S. Officials Coordinate On-Site Efforts and Support Ceasefire
The visit coincides with the opening of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, staffed by 200 American personnel and foreign delegates. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Vance in Jerusalem for diplomatic meetings, reinforcing American efforts to manage the fragile ceasefire and promote reconstruction.
“We’ve already done the impossible once,” Rubio said. “We intend to keep doing that.”
The presence of top U.S. officials has been dubbed “Bibi-sitting” by Israeli media—an effort to ensure Netanyahu honors the ceasefire despite internal pressure from his political right.
International Pushback on Annexation Vote
The annexation bill drew criticism beyond U.S. circles. A coalition of Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, denounced the measure as a violation of international law. Netanyahu’s office called the vote a “political provocation” orchestrated by his rivals.
Palestinian representatives at the U.N. praised the Trump administration for its clarity. Deputy Ambassador Majed Bamya said, “We appreciate the clear message” against annexation.
Analysts note that even without formal annexation, de facto control is expanding. Settlement growth in the West Bank continues, raising concerns about long-term regional stability and the future of any two-state solution.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Deepens Despite Ceasefire
Despite the ongoing truce, aid access to Gaza remains limited. Only two crossings are operational, causing bottlenecks. As of October 23, the U.N. has tracked just under 950 aid trucks entering the strip. The World Food Program is scaling up to 145 distribution centers, but warns that much more is needed.
Meanwhile, critical patients are slowly being evacuated. The WHO reported that 41 individuals have left Gaza for medical treatment, with over 15,000 still waiting.
UN officials describe the current medical situation as catastrophic. “There’s no such thing as a normal birth in Gaza right now,” said Andrew Saberton of the U.N. Population Fund.
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