As of September 26, 2025, the Middle East remains a cauldron of geopolitical intrigue, with Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the relentless devastation in Gaza dominating global discourse. Amid this chaos, a narrative pushed by Hasbara propaganda suggests Israel, under Benjamin Netanyahu, is poised to annex the West Bank—a move vocally opposed by Gulf states like the UAE, yet met with their deafening silence on the Gaza holocaust. This is no mere coincidence. The truth is that Israel has no desire to formally annex the West Bank, and the opposition from Arab allies and Western figures like Donald Trump is a calculated charade that serves Netanyahu’s agenda. This strategy preserves a profitable occupation while dodging legal and demographic pitfalls.
The UAE’s Hypocritical Stance Fuels Netanyahu’s Game
The UAE and other Gulf nations have loudly decried the prospect of West Bank annexation, yet their refusal to condemn Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza—where thousands have perished since the escalation—betrays their true priorities. This selective outrage is a gift to Netanyahu. Annexing the West Bank would compel Israel to grant citizenship to its Palestinian residents under international law, a prospect that terrifies the Israeli leadership and IDF brass. Such a move would trigger a demographic shift, eroding Jewish supremacy—an existential threat to Israel’s ethnonationalist identity. Netanyahu, alongside his liberal collaborators in the West, prefers the current occupation, which offers economic and political advantages without the legal baggage.
Israel’s “zombie economy” thrives on the exploitation of occupied territories. Palestinian workers are subjected to indentured labor, earning mere pennies compared to Israeli counterparts in the same factories—a disparity that nets Israel significant profits. Moreover, Israel forces Palestinians to purchase utilities, medicines, and critical goods solely from Israeli providers at inflated prices, creating a captive market that bolsters the economy. Formal annexation would jeopardize this system, exposing Israel to charges of apartheid and international sanctions. The UAE’s vocal opposition, juxtaposed with its complicity in Gaza, suggests a coordinated effort with Netanyahu—perhaps a prearranged statement to maintain the status quo. The idea that the UAE suddenly cares about Palestinian land while enabling a holocaust in Gaza defies logic unless it’s part of this orchestrated deception.
Trump as Netanyahu’s Human Shield
Adding to this theater, former President Donald Trump declared on September 25, 2025, that he would block any Israeli annexation of the West Bank, whether or not he consulted Netanyahu. This bold public stance aligns seamlessly with the Israeli leader’s long-term strategy. In practice, Israel has already annexed the West Bank de facto, controlling its land, water resources, and population without a formal declaration. Official annexation would undermine this occupation project by inviting legal challenges, forcing citizenship debates, and disrupting the economic exploitation model.
Netanyahu cleverly uses Trump—and Arab states—as human shields to placate his radical coalition members. By blaming external pressure from the U.S. and Gulf nations, he deflects internal criticism, preserving his authority while avoiding the risks of formal annexation. This tactic was evident in recent coalition tensions, where hardliners demanded annexation, only for Netanyahu to cite Trump’s opposition as the decisive barrier. The timing of Trump’s statement, just days before the UN General Assembly’s 2025 session, further suggests a coordinated effort to manage global perceptions.
The Unmasking of Israel’s True Agenda
The Hasbara narrative—that Israel is eager to annex the West Bank but restrained by allies—is a smokescreen. Annexation threatens Israel’s demographic control and economic lifeline. Netanyahu’s preference for occupation, supported by the UAE’s selective diplomacy and Trump’s convenient veto, reveals a cynical strategy to perpetuate the status quo. Palestinians continue to endure this undeclared apartheid, their land and labor exploited without the legal burdens of annexation.
As the world watches the UN debates unfold this weekend, the international community must see through this charade. Gulf states and the U.S. should be held accountable for their complicity, not praised for hollow opposition. The people of Palestine deserve an end to occupation, not more geopolitical gamesmanship disguised as concern. Don’t be tricked by Hasbara—Israel’s refusal to annex is a deliberate choice, not a concession.