In a move that has sent shockwaves through international diplomatic circles, Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance are reportedly preparing a controversial plan that would recognise Israeli sovereignty over vast swathes of the occupied West Bank.
The proposed policy, described by Palestinian leaders as a "catastrophic land grab," would mark the most significant shift in US-Israel relations in decades and threatens to derail any remaining prospects for a two-state solution.
Diplomatic Earthquake in the Making
Sources close to the Trump campaign reveal that the former president and his vice-presidential pick have been developing a strategy that would effectively endorse Israel's controversial settlement expansion projects. This dramatic departure from decades of US foreign policy has already drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities and concern from European allies.
Senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh didn't mince words when he declared the proposal "a declaration of war against the Palestinian people and their rights." The sentiment echoes throughout Palestinian territories, where many view this potential policy shift as legitimising what they see as illegal occupation.
The Netanyahu Connection
The timing of this revelation is particularly significant given Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled address to the US Congress. The Israeli Prime Minister, who has long advocated for formal recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, appears to have found willing partners in Trump and Vance.
Political analysts suggest this alignment could reshape the entire Middle East peace process, with one former diplomat describing it as "throwing gasoline on an already raging fire."
International Backlash Gathers Momentum
European leaders have expressed deep concern about the potential ramifications of such a policy. The European Union maintains that Israeli settlements in the West Bank violate international law, and any US endorsement of them would create significant transatlantic tension.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations are preparing for what they fear could be increased violence and displacement in the region if the plan moves forward. The proposal comes at a time when tensions in the West Bank are already at boiling point, with regular clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents.
What This Means for Middle East Peace
The Trump-Vance proposal represents perhaps the most radical departure from traditional US Middle East policy in modern history. By aligning so strongly with Israel's right-wing government, the Republican ticket appears to be betting that their base will reward such unequivocal support for Israel.
However, critics argue that this approach effectively abandons any pretence of the US acting as an honest broker in the region. As one Middle East expert noted, "This isn't just changing policy - it's throwing out the entire playbook that every administration, Republican and Democrat, has used since 1967."
The coming weeks will reveal whether this bold strategy pays political dividends or creates an international crisis that even a returning Trump administration would struggle to contain.
