US voices rare criticism over 'Israel’s' West Bank annexation plans

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned 'Israel' against annexing the occupied West Bank.
• 'Israeli' lawmakers advanced two annexation bills despite a recent Gaza peace deal.
• Rubio said annexation efforts are “threatening for the peace deal.”
• He noted that 'Israel’s' democratic process allows such votes but called them “counterproductive.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned 'Israel' on Wednesday against advancing legislation to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, warning that such actions could undermine the fragile peace deal recently brokered to end the Gaza war.

Speaking to reporters before departing for 'Israel', Rubio said, “I think the president’s made clear that’s not something we can be supportive of right now,” referring to the annexation bills.

The comments came after the 'Israeli' parliament voted to advance two proposed laws aimed at formalizing control over parts of the West Bank, a move that has drawn international concern just one week after President Donald Trump’s administration finalized an agreement to halt the two-year genocide in Gaza.

Rubio described the annexation efforts as “threatening for the peace deal,” emphasizing that while 'Israel’s' democratic process allows for such votes, “at this time, it’s something that we... think might be counterproductive.”

He also condemned rising violence by extremist 'Israeli' settlers against Palestinians, saying, “We’re concerned about anything that threatens to destabilize what we’ve worked on.”

Despite his warnings, Rubio expressed cautious optimism about the broader peace process. “Every day there’ll be threats to it, but I actually think we’re ahead of schedule in terms of bringing it together, and the fact that we made it through this weekend is a good sign,” he said.

Rubio’s remarks mark a rare instance of direct criticism from a senior US official toward 'Israel’s' far-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Until recently, the Trump administration had avoided publicly opposing 'Israeli' annexation moves.

The US continues to be 'Israel’s' main diplomatic and military backer. However, Washington is also relying on Arab and Islamic nations to contribute to a post-war stabilization effort in Gaza, several of which have warned that any 'Israeli' annexation of the West Bank would cross a “red line” and jeopardize their participation.