At the UN, President Trump assured Arab leaders he would prevent Israel from extending sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, drawing concern in Jerusalem as Prime Minister Netanyahu prepares to address the General Assembly.
New York / Jerusalem — US President Donald Trump told Arab leaders during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that Israel will not be allowed to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, according to a report by Politico.
Six officials familiar with the closed-door session confirmed Trump’s remarks, with two participants saying the president was unequivocal: “Israel will not be permitted to absorb the territory,” which remains under Palestinian Authority control.
Israeli media analyst Barak Ravid (Axios) also confirmed through sources that Trump explicitly pledged to block Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from moving ahead with sovereignty plans.
Despite the reassurance to Arab leaders, Politico noted that no ceasefire to halt Israel’s nearly two-year campaign against Hamas is imminent. Instead, the Trump administration reportedly circulated a classified white paper addressing governance and security in Gaza after Hamas is dismantled.
Arab concerns and the Abraham Accords
Arab leaders reportedly warned that any Israeli sovereignty move in Judea and Samaria could jeopardize the Abraham Accords, Trump’s landmark achievement normalizing ties between Israel and several Arab states.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after the session, told Fox News the talks were “fruitful,” though he offered no details. He is scheduled to meet Trump again at the White House on Thursday.
Netanyahu prepares Israel’s response
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push back against international recognition of a Palestinian state and defend Israel’s historic rights in Judea and Samaria during his UN General Assembly address on Friday at 9:00 a.m. EST (4:00 p.m. Israel time).
Netanyahu departs Israel late Wednesday night, with sources close to the prime minister saying his speech will directly respond to mounting international pressure.
