Israel Halts West Bank Annexation Bills Amid U.S. Criticism and Regional Talks in Cairo

Jerusalem — Israel has frozen the legislative process for two controversial bills proposing the annexation of the West Bank and the Maale Adumim settlement, after the measures drew sharp criticism and diplomatic unease during U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s visit to the country.

Ofir Katz, Chairman of Israel’s governing coalition, announced on Thursday that both bills — which had passed a preliminary vote in the Knesset — will not move forward “until further notice.”

The proposals sought to apply Israeli law and administrative control over all settlements in the West Bank, including the large settlement bloc of Maale Adumim, located east of Jerusalem. The initial vote in favour of the bills took place on Wednesday, coinciding with Vice-President Vance’s visit.

Speaking to reporters before his departure from Ben Gurion International Airport, Vance described the vote as a “political stunt” lacking real significance.

“If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it,” Vance said.

Responding to the controversy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement distancing the government from the move, describing it as a “deliberate political provocation” by the opposition intended to stir tensions during the U.S. delegation’s visit.

The statement clarified that Netanyahu’s Likud party did not support the bills, adding, “Without Likud support, these bills are unlikely to advance.”

Meanwhile, in a related regional development, Hamas and Fatah delegations met in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the post-war governance of Gaza, according to Egyptian broadcaster Al-Qahera News.

Hamas was represented by senior leader and negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, while Fatah’s delegation was led by Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh and intelligence chief Majed Faraj.

The report said Egypt is also facilitating talks among Palestinian factions on the second phase of the Trump-era peace plan and is preparing to host an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction in the second half of November.

With inputs from IANS