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Trump says he ‘will not allow’ Israel to annex West Bank after lobbying from allies Donald Trump has declared that he will not permit Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, a statement that breaks sharply with calls from some Israeli far-right leaders and comes after intense lobbying from U.S. allies. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump delivered an unusually firm rejection of annexation, stating: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen. There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now.” The comments follow weeks of speculation that Trump, who has maintained a close relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, might move to endorse or tacitly allow Israeli sovereignty over the territory. Such a step would have dramatically undermined prospects for a two-state solution and further destabilized an already fragile region. According to British officials, there were fears inside London that Trump could recognise Israeli control over the West Bank as a retaliatory gesture after the UK, Australia, France and several other allies formally recognised Palestinian statehood earlier this month. Diplomats familiar with the matter said those governments undertook a coordinated campaign of quiet but urgent lobbying in Washington, warning that any U.S. endorsement of annexation would isolate the United States and shatter hopes of building consensus around future peace negotiations. Senior European envoys reportedly stressed to the White House that annexation would amount to a “fatal blow” to the two-state framework, a model still supported by much of the international community as the only viable pathway to lasting peace. Trump’s remarks will be seen as a significant setback for Israeli ultranationalists who have long pressed for permanent sovereignty over the West Bank, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and remains at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While Netanyahu himself has stopped short of formally calling for annexation in recent months, members of his governing coalition have repeatedly floated the idea as a way of consolidating Israel’s hold over the territory. Palestinian leaders cautiously welcomed Trump’s declaration, with one senior official telling Reuters that the statement was “a necessary step” but warning that “we must see if actions follow words.” The Palestinian Authority has frequently accused Washington of bias toward Israel, pointing to Trump’s earlier decisions to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cut aid to Palestinian agencies. In Israel, reaction was mixed. Right-wing politicians expressed disappointment and accused Trump of caving to international pressure. Centrist and left-leaning figures, however, praised the U.S. president for setting limits and protecting the possibility of renewed peace talks. Analysts note that Trump’s calculus may be influenced by his broader foreign policy agenda, which has increasingly emphasized stability and avoiding fresh escalations in the Middle East as he balances multiple global crises. At the United Nations last week, Arab leaders had also pressed Washington not to sanction annexation, warning it could trigger unrest across the region. Jordan, which maintains a fragile peace treaty with Israel, has consistently opposed any moves to alter the West Bank’s status without a negotiated settlement. The West Bank, home to nearly three million Palestinians and over 400,000 Israeli settlers, remains one of the most contentious pieces of disputed land in the world. Any move toward annexation would likely trigger international condemnation and possibly sanctions. Trump’s clear rejection marks a rare moment where his administration appears aligned with European allies and the broader international consensus, even as his foreign policy has often diverged from theirs on other Middle Eastern issues. Still, questions remain over whether the president will sustain this stance if pressured by Israeli leaders or if domestic political considerations shift. Trump himself left open the possibility of revisiting the issue, saying only that “for now, annexation is off the table.” For now, diplomats say the focus will turn back to whether Washington can leverage Trump’s statement into momentum for renewed peace talks — a prospect many remain skeptical about given the long history of failed negotiations. What is clear, however, is that Trump’s public disavowal of annexation represents a moment of relief for allies who feared that yet another destabilizing move could push the region closer to perpetual conflict.

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South Sudan has taken the drastic step of suspending access to popular social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, following violent riots and deadly revenge attacks that were triggered by videos showing the alleged killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan’s El Gezira state. The suspension, which is set to last for at least 30 days, was implemented after disturbing footage depicting the brutal violence spread rapidly across social media, inciting unrest in South Sudan. The suspension will affect users of mobile networks such as MTN South Sudan and Zain, leaving thousands unable to access social media platforms during a critical period of heightened tension. The move to block social media access was outlined in a letter from Napoleon Adok, the director general of the National Communications Authority, to internet service providers. Adok stated that the suspension was a direct response to the "unprecedented levels of extreme violence" faced by South Sudanese citizens through social media posts. According to the letter, the government deemed it necessary to take action to prevent further exposure to the graphic content and to maintain order. The social media shutdown, which began at midnight on Wednesday, could last for up to 90 days, according to statements issued by the mobile companies. In South Sudan, the circulation of the videos sparked intense anger and fear, leading to violence on the streets. Last week, riots erupted across the capital, Juba, and other cities, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals. South Sudanese citizens, mostly youth, launched attacks on Sudanese-owned shops, looted businesses, and burned homes in a violent response to the killings. The violence was fueled by the belief that Sudan's military and allied groups were responsible for the deaths in El Gezira, further escalating the tensions between the two countries. The Sudanese army has since condemned what it described as "individual violations" in El Gezira, calling the attacks an isolated incident. However, South Sudanese officials and citizens have expressed deep frustration over the situation. Isaac Anthony Lumori, a well-known South Sudanese musician and comedian, voiced concerns about the government's decision to block social media. As an artist who relies heavily on social media for his work, Lumori expressed the difficulties that the suspension would create for those in creative industries. He emphasized the need for the South Sudanese government to find a balanced solution that would not hinder the work of artists and social media users while also addressing the violence sparked by the videos. “The effect is a bit huge because as an artist, I depend so much on social media,” said Lumori, who is also known for his comedy shows. “My message to the government is to seek an amicable way of solving this issue, especially engaging the government of Sudan to make sure that their army does not misbehave to the extent of taking human life.” His call for peaceful dialogue reflects the broader sentiment among South Sudanese artists who feel the pain of losing access to their primary platforms for work, communication, and awareness. While some in South Sudan have supported the government’s actions, viewing the suspension as a necessary step to restore order and prevent further violence, the decision has raised concerns about the broader implications for freedom of expression. Many have questioned whether the move is an overreach and whether the government could have implemented alternative solutions to address the violence without imposing such a wide-reaching ban. The South Sudanese government is facing increasing pressure to address both the immediate security concerns stemming from the riots and the longer-term challenges related to the country’s relationship with Sudan. While both governments have called for calm, with Sudan’s army condemning the violence in El Gezira, the situation remains tense, and questions about accountability and peace persist. In South Sudan, officials have continued to work on restoring peace and stability, but with a population that is already grappling with the consequences of years of internal conflict, such events threaten to further destabilize the country. The government’s decision to block social media may be a temporary measure to control the situation, but it also raises significant concerns about the balance between national security and individual freedoms in a country still recovering from decades of war. As this situation develops, it is clear that South Sudan faces not only immediate challenges regarding violence and social unrest but also the ongoing task of fostering long-term peace and stability. With the social media suspension in place, the country is looking to manage a volatile situation, though the outcome of these measures remains uncertain.

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