US Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized a symbolic vote on West Bank annexation that took place on Wednesday while he was visiting Israel, calling it insulting and reaffirming that the Trump administration opposes such a move. The measure was put for a floor vote in the Knesset on Wednesday by right-wing fringe lawmakers, and although it passed, it still has to advance to several more floor votes before it can be enacted.
"The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel," Vance told reporters Thursday. "The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy."
When asked about the vote, Vance described his initial reaction as confusion. "That was weird. I was sort of confused by that," he said. He explained that someone informed him the vote was symbolic in nature, with no practical significance.
The vice president did not mince words about his assessment of the action. "Look, if it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it," Vance said.
He added that the administration was displeased with the vote. "We certainly weren't happy about it," he said, while acknowledging that lawmakers are free to take symbolic votes if they choose.
