President Trump using a pen to describe Israel's size (video snippet - CSPAN)

Trump Signals Pro-Israel Stance, Fuels Speculation on Annexation

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The Judean Staff
International

In yet another example of his signature bluntness, former U.S. President Donald Trump refused to directly address the hot-button issue of Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria, otherwise called "The West Bank", a term created by Jordan in 1951 to whitewash Jewish connection to the land. However, in a dramatic moment during a press briefing, Trump underscored the sheer scale of Israel’s geographic challenges, offering an unconventional analogy to drive home his point.

"It’s a pretty small piece of land," Trump said, picking up a pen from his desk and holding it up for the reporters to see. "This pen—this beautiful, wonderful pen—represents the Middle East. And do you see this tiny little tip? That’s Israel." He paused for effect, letting the visual sink in before adding, "That’s not good, right? It’s a pretty big difference. It’s amazing what they’ve been able to do when you think about it—a lot of good, smart brain power. But it is a very small piece of land, no question about it."

Trump’s cabinet choices have sparked intense speculation about his administration’s potential stance on Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. While he has yet to make an explicit statement on annexation, his key appointments send a strong signal. His selection of Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—two of Israel’s most vocal and unwavering allies in Congress—suggests a policy agenda that could lean heavily toward reinforcing Israeli control over the disputed territories.

Adding further fuel to the speculation, Trump tapped Governor Mike Huckabee as his Ambassador to Israel—a longtime advocate for Israel’s biblical and historical claims to the land. Huckabee has outright rejected the term "West Bank," insisting that the territory is, and always has been, Judea and Samaria—the heartland of biblical Israel and the seat of the ancient Jewish kingdoms. Given the unapologetic pro-Israel stance of these three high-profile appointees, many believe that Trump’s administration may not only support but actively facilitate the annexation of Judea and Samaria, whether in whole or in part, over the next four years.

Trump's Silence on Annexation: Strategy or Disinterest?

When pressed about whether Israel should move forward with annexing parts of the West Bank, Trump played coy, saying, "I'm not going to talk about that." While some saw this as a calculated move to avoid controversy, others interpreted it as a reluctance to wade into the complex and often volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict at this particular moment.

Ceasefire in Gaza: No Guarantees, But a Glimmer of Hope

On the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, Trump was characteristically skeptical. "I have no guarantees that the peace is going to hold," he stated, casting doubt on the fragile truce. However, his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attempted to strike a more optimistic tone, saying, "It’s holding so far, so we’re certainly hopeful."

According to Witkoff, Trump’s primary focus in the region remains "getting the hostages out and saving lives." This statement reaffirms Trump’s position as a dealmaker rather than a nation-builder, emphasizing his preference for transactional diplomacy over long-term policy commitments.

Trump’s Middle East Shake-Up: A Legacy of Unprecedented Support for Israel

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing speculation about the future of U.S. policy in the Middle East. His presidency marked a dramatic departure from previous administrations, as he pursued an aggressive pro-Israel stance, upending long-standing diplomatic norms.

According to Politico, Trump is expected to sign an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and permanently cutting funding to UNRWA, the controversial UN agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees. This move, if finalized, would mark a historic break from previous U.S. engagement with international organizations often criticized for their anti-Israel bias.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that Washington is preparing a massive, billion-dollar arms deal with Israel, further solidifying America’s commitment to bolstering the Jewish state's military capabilities in an increasingly volatile region.

A President Who Redefined U.S.-Israel Relations

Trump’s refusal to engage in direct commentary on annexation is in line with his broader Middle East policy—one defined by unpredictability, a hardline stance against international organizations hostile to Israel, and an unprecedented level of diplomatic and military support for the Jewish state. While critics argue that his approach lacked nuance, his supporters see him as the most pro-Israel president in modern history.

One thing is certain: whether through bold gestures like moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, brokering the Abraham Accords, or calling out the United Nations' hypocrisy, Trump reshaped America’s role in the Middle East—leaving a legacy that continues to influence U.S.-Israel relations today.

As for the future of the West Bank? That, according to Trump, remains an open question.

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