The US on Monday said it opposed any Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, warning that destabilising moves in the territory could undermine efforts to advance President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.“As President Trump stated, the United States opposes Israeli annexation of the West Bank,” US representative Jennifer Locetta told the UN Security Council in New York.“Stability in the West Bank is vital for Israel's security and aligns with our goal of achieving peace in the region." She added that Washington wanted to ensure the well-being of Israelis and Palestinians.Israel captured the territory during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and has occupied it ever since. Settlements built there are illegal under international law.Ms Locetta said the US shared concerns raised by other Security Council members over economic instability in the West Bank and the need to expand economic opportunities for Palestinians.She also criticised measures adopted or proposed by “some UN member states” targeting businesses operating in parts of Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the West Bank.“As Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio said, we do not want to see any destabilising activity in the West Bank at this moment, as it could have implications on our ability to make progress with regards to President Trump's Gaza peace plan,” Ms Locetta said.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday tha...
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