Asked if he backs Israel annexing West Bank, Trump says he’ll likely make announcement in next 4 weeks

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, February 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, February 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON — Asked again whether he’d back Israel annexing the West Bank, US President Donald Trump says he’ll likely be “making an announcement” on the matter at some point in the next four weeks.

“We’re discussing that with many of your representatives. You’re represented very well… [but] we haven’t been taking a position on it yet,” Trump says during a press conference to a reporter who signals they support annexation.

Regarding the hostages, Trump says the sides are going into phase two of the deal and that the US would get “somewhat more violent” if Hamas did not release all of the hostages, “because they would have broken their word.” He says he believes the deal can be completed.

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