U.S. Vice President: Annexation of the West Bank is a "stupid" step and Trump's policy rejects it

In controversial statements, J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, said on Thursday that President Donald Trump strongly opposes Israel's annexation of the occupied West Bank, asserting that it "will never happen" and that this policy will remain steadfast in the U.S. administration.

Vance's remarks came in response to a preliminary vote held by the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday on a bill aimed at applying Israeli law to the West Bank, which is considered a step towards annexing lands claimed by Palestinians for the establishment of their state.

Vance described this move as a "very stupid political act," adding: "I personally consider it an insult," referring to the fact that such unilateral steps could hinder peace efforts.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously warned that these actions could threaten Trump's ceasefire plan in Gaza, which remains fragile so far.

Vance made these statements at the end of a two-day visit to Israel, where he emphasized that "President Trump's policy is not to annex the West Bank, and this will always be our policy."