Netanyahu suspends 'sovereignty' bill for the time being amid backlash

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
23 Oct 2025 18:57
2 Shares

Israeli PM Netanyahu calls the Knesset’s West Bank "annexation" bill a political stunt, as US officials, including Trump and Rubio, warn it threatens the Gaza ceasefire deal.

Listen

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the US Independence Day reception, known as the annual Fourth of July celebration, hosted by Newsmax, in occupied al-Quds, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. (Pool Photo via AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office published a hostile statement in English on October 23, stating that the "annexation" bill recently voted on by the Knesset was an act of "deliberate political provocation."

"The Knesset vote on annexation was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord during [US] Vice President JD Vance’s visit to 'Israel'," the statement read. "The two bills were sponsored by opposition members of the Knesset."

Netanyahu's office added that Likud and other religious political parties "did not vote for these bills, except for one disgruntled Likud member who was recently fired from the chairmanship of a Knesset committee."

"Without Likud support these bills are unlikely to go anywhere," the statement concluded.

Prime Minister's Office:

The Knesset vote on annexation was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord during Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel.
The two bills were sponsored by opposition members of the Knesset.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 23, 2025

'Sovereignty' over West Bank will not proceed

Alongside the Israeli Prime Minister's office's statement, right-wing Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz announced that Netanyahu ordered that the legislation regarding Israeli "sovereignty" over the West Bank will not proceed for the time being.

Katz noted that the directive was given due to Knesset members acting against Netanyahu's position, causing the bill to be approved.

Netanyahu's statement also followed Vance's statement in opposition to he bill, calling it "weird" and stating, "If it was a political stunt, then it was a stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it."

Other voices of opposition include US President Donald Trump, who said during an interview for Time Magazine that "annexation" "will not happen," warning that "Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened," as he asserted, "I gave my word to the Arabs."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also voiced against the "annexation" of the West Bank, warning that it may threaten Trump's ceasefire deal.

"I think the president’s made clear [annexation is] not something we’d be supportive of right now, and we think it’s potentially threatening to the peace deal,” Rubio told reporters.