Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Israel would not be permitted to annex the Palestinian West Bank, while suggesting that a settlement over Gaza could be reached soon. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, ahead of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled UN address, Trump said: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank… it simply won’t happen.” His remarks come as several Western nations formally recognize Palestine as an independent state. The UN Secretary-General warned that annexation would be “morally, legally, and politically unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed willingness to work with world leaders on France’s proposed peace plan.