By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Facing growing pressure from settler leaders, Netanyahu said he would raise annexation at the White House, while vowing to “finish the job” in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with leaders of illegal West Bank settlements on Sunday evening, ahead of his scheduled talks with US President Donald Trump.

According to Israeli media, Netanyahu told the delegation that he intends to bring up the issue of annexing the occupied West Bank during his White House meeting. At the same time, he acknowledged the “complicated reality,” indicating that such a move is unlikely in the immediate future.

The meeting took place as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from settler leaders and far-right allies, who have intensified calls for annexation in response to recent Western recognition of a Palestinian state. While Netanyahu continues to publicly oppose recognition, his government has enabled de facto annexation on the ground.

Among those present were senior settler officials, Israel Ganz, head of the Yesha Council, and Yossi Dagan, chair of the Samaria Regional Council. Both are outspoken proponents of annexation, framing it as the ultimate rejection of Palestinian statehood.

Dagan told Ynet News, as cited by the Times of Israel, that the meeting with Netanyahu in New York was “very long and the feeling after is that we are very concerned.”

#BreakingNews 🇮🇱❌🇵🇸

▶️⭐🤔Yanir Kuzin: It appears that the meeting of the West Bank Settlements Council delegation with Prime Minister #Netanyahu will take place around 8:00 PM US time in New York. pic.twitter.com/QwkvtkaEf0

— 🔻AnonForGaza🇵🇸 (@AnonOzzyDude) September 28, 2025

Netanyahu reportedly contrasted Trump’s stance with that of former US President Barack Obama, who had urged a freeze on settlement expansion. “We have a supportive president,” Netanyahu said, adding: “Remember the Obama era, when he told us not to lay even one brick.”

Trump, however, has publicly ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank. The United Arab Emirates—a key regional partner that normalized relations with Israel in 2020—has also warned that such a move would cross a “red line.”

On social media, Ganz noted that he and other settler leaders had visited the New York gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He said they prayed for the “application of Israeli sovereignty” in the West Bank, adding: “The clear message of settlement is, no to a Palestinian state, yes to applying sovereignty.”

The meeting comes amid escalating Israeli raids across the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians continue to face arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and killings by Israeli forces.

Over 150 Companies Involved in Illegal Settlements in West Bank – UN Database

Trump-Netanyahu Talks on Gaza

Netanyahu is due to meet Trump at the White House on Monday, marking their fourth meeting since Trump returned to office in January—more than with any other world leader. Their talks are expected to focus heavily on Gaza, where the US president is promoting a 21-point peace initiative.

Unveiled during UN meetings in New York last week, Trump’s plan reportedly envisions a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of captives held by the Palestinian Resistance, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Gaza would be administered during a transitional period by a Palestinian committee under international supervision.

Netanyahu has firmly rejected the proposal, reiterating his intention to pursue the complete defeat of Hamas. Addressing the UN, he declared he would “finish the job” in Gaza, ruling out both Palestinian statehood and any role for the Palestinian Authority in governing the territory.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire-for-captives deal collapsed earlier this month after an Israeli strike in Doha targeted Hamas leaders. Since then, Hamas has said no new initiatives have been presented by international mediators, leaving the stalemate unresolved.

(PC, Al Mayadeen)