Prime Minister Netanyahu asserts Israel’s sovereignty amid Trump’s warning against annexing Judea and Samaria, vowing Israel will decide its destiny—not Washington.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew a clear red line on Thursday, declaring that Israel’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation—neither in Washington, nor in any foreign capital.
Responding to comments by U.S. President Donald Trump—who told TIME Magazine that Israel “will not apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria” and warned that such a move would “cost Israel all U.S. support”—Netanyahu firmly rejected the idea that the United States dictates Israel’s national policy.
“I deeply, deeply appreciate President Trump’s support—his backing for our war operations, his recognition of our right to enter Gaza City, and his leadership in mobilizing Arab countries to help bring back our hostages,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 12 News.
“But let me be clear: Israel is an independent country.”
Netanyahu underscored that the government’s focus remains on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, while strengthening international alliances that serve Israel’s security interests.
“The cooperation between us, between partners, is a blessing for the State of Israel. But at the end of the day, Israel makes its own decisions,” he emphasized.
His remarks come just 24 hours after the Knesset approved two preliminary bills to apply Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria—territories at the heart of biblical Israel and home to nearly half a million Israeli citizens.
The Prime Minister’s Office swiftly clarified that the bills were introduced by opposition members and described the vote as a “deliberate political provocation” timed to embarrass Israel during Vice President JD Vance’s visit.
Vance, visibly irritated, told reporters before boarding Air Force Two:
“If it was a political stunt, then it was a stupid political stunt, and I take personal insult to it.”
“The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy.”
Still, Netanyahu’s message cut through the noise: gratitude for U.S. friendship does not equal submission to U.S. directives.
As one senior Likud source put it:
“Israel consults with allies—but it does not ask permission to exist, to defend itself, or to claim what God and history have already granted it.”
For Israel, Judea and Samaria are not bargaining chips in a diplomatic poker game. They are the cradle of Jewish identity—and Netanyahu’s firm response signals that, ally or not, no foreign power will decide Israel’s fate.
