A Giants Fight
The High-Stakes Clash: Netanyahu Defies Trump on Judea and Samaria Annexation
Netanyahu set to confront Trump over Judea and Samaria annexation plans despite explicit US opposition, while discussions on Gaza war resolution and hostage deals hang in balance.
A high-stakes meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday is set to highlight a major rift in priorities, with the leaders pursuing vastly different agendas. While President Trump is increasing pressure to finalize a ceasefire and conclude the Gaza War, Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to raise the contentious issue of Judea and Samaria sovereignty.
A senior political source, speaking with prominent American media figures, confirmed Saturday that Netanyahu plans to discuss the annexation of Judea and Samaria, despite President Trump's recent and explicit opposition. Earlier this week, Trump declared: "I will not allow Israel to annex Judea and Samaria."
Sovereignty Push Against US Stance
The prime minister’s domestic political allies are concurrently ramping up pressure. Leaders of the Yesha Council are in the U.S. for what they termed an "emergency delegation" aimed at influencing policy ahead of the White House talks, underscoring the deep political investment in the sovereignty issue within Israel.
Hostages, War’s End, and a Northern Buffer
While Netanyahu's full plan for concluding the war remains vague, centered on the slogan "Hostages home, Hamas out," his agenda does include regional security proposals. The prime minister's office referenced an ongoing Reuters report detailing security arrangements that would demilitarize southern Syria to establish a buffer zone along Israel’s northeastern border. A key objective of this reported plan is the provision of maximum protection for the Druze population in Syria.
Netanyahu, speaking to members of the Israeli delegation on Shabbat, maintained a confident outlook, stating,
"There is more work to do, but we are nearing the end, both to bring home our hostages and to defeat our enemies." He framed the ongoing efforts as maintaining peace "while the sword is in our hand," adding, "That is what we are doing now, and this will continue next week in Washington and then in Israel. This stage of the war, for justice and truth, is a very important stage."
Netanyahu also briefly addressed ongoing political criticism regarding his wife, Sara, joking,
"She writes all the speeches, she decides everything, when we attack, everything. It’s recorded; there, I said it."
Trump’s Pressure Campaign
President Trump is focused intently on securing a resolution to the Gaza conflict, signaling optimism on social media:
"There have already been four days of intensive talks. Netanyahu is in the picture, Hamas is involved, and all the countries in the region are engaged. There is unprecedented enthusiasm to reach peace."
Netanyahu offered minimal comment on the progress, simply stating he "will speak with Trump about everything at their meeting."
Despite the President's public push, Hamas officials told Reuters on Saturday that the terror group had not been presented with Trump's formal proposal for a hostage deal and ceasefire, suggesting a potential gap between U.S. diplomatic enthusiasm and ground-level engagement.
Prior to the White House meeting, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with U.S. Jewish leaders and appear at an event hosted by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) alongside prominent conservative commentator and Trump ally Mark Levin.