JERUSALEM: Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of advancing two bills on annexing the occupied West Bank, an ambition openly promoted by far-right ministers in recent months. The vote came with US Vice President JD Vance visiting Israel to shore up a Gaza ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump, who has made clear he would not back annexation of the West Bank. “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,” Trump told reporters at the White House in September.

Netanyahu's Likud party criticises move as a way to embarrass the government during Vance's visit - insisting annexation is achieved through action on the ground

Letter signed by 44 senators comes as US vice president meets with Israeli leaders, and the Knesset passes preliminary annexation bill