Israel’s West Bank settlers hope Trump’s return will pave the way for major settlement expansion

This AP news story is a few days old, but it’s still very “fresh”: Israel’s West Bank settlers hope Trump’s return will pave the way for major settlement expansion.

What are settlers? They are Israeli Jews who illegally move into Palestinian land, kick out the occupants (often violently, and sometimes with the armed assistance of the IDF), take their farms, and otherwise displace the rightful inhabitants of the land. To learn more, see the numerous articles about Israeli settlements on Palestinian land at If Americans Knew.

Below is an AI-produced summary of the AP article: ¹

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• Jewish West Bank settlement advocates celebrated Donald Trump’s recent election victory, anticipating renewed support for their territorial claims.

• During Trump’s first term (2017-2021):

• Settlement housing expansion reached record levels (nearly 33,000 units)
• The U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
• The U.S. Embassy was moved to Jerusalem
• The U.S. recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights

• Current developments and expectations:

• Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich publicly hopes for West Bank sovereignty by 2025
• Settlement construction has surged again in 2023
• Trump’s anticipated administration picks are notably pro-Israel

• Key concerns and context:

• Palestinians view settlements as violations of international law
• Over 500,000 Israelis now live in approximately 130 West Bank settlements
• Rights groups warn of apartheid concerns if annexation occurs without equal rights for Palestinians
• Israeli support for a Palestinian state has declined following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks

• Settlement advocates anticipate:

• Potential West Bank annexation
• Continued settlement expansion
• Possible Gaza resettlement plans
• Reduced pressure on settlement-related policies