In brief
Amid geopolitical changes and policy shifts, West Bank settlers express hope that the incoming U.S. administration will align with their territorial aspirations, particularly in light of prior support from President Trump.
Eliana Passentin, a resident of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, admires her home nestled nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, offering sweeping views from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. However, she feels a deeper sense of fulfillment would come from Israel officially annexing the region.Leaders within the settlement community are buoyed by several key appointments in President Donald J. Trump’s potential cabinet, raising hopes that annexation could finally materialize. For instance, Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, recently filmed an episode for his series, “Battle in the Holy Land,” while visiting the historical site of ancient Shiloh. Mike Huckabee, tapped as the next ambassador to Jerusalem, has long championed the view that all of the West Bank should be under Israeli sovereignty.With nearly half a million Israelis living in the West Bank and around 2.7 million Palestinians residing there, the conflict over these lands remains intense. For decades, international perspectives have regarded the settlements as illegal and envisioned the area as a cornerstone of a future Palestinian state. However, recent conflicts, notably the Hamas-led attacks from Gaza in October 2023, have altered the landscape of expectations, fostering a sentiment among settlers that the dream of a Palestinian state is fading.In this evolving context, settlers are increasingly vocal about their desire for Israel to extend its sovereignty over parts or even the entirety of the West Bank. Although such a significant move would clash with historical international opposition, settler leaders believe that a change in U.S. policy under Trump could provide the geopolitical support needed to pursue annexation boldly."We want to live our lives in Israel. I believe the new administration will support whatever Israel decides," Passentin stated, encapsulating the aspirations and optimism of many settlers seeking formal recognition of their claims to the territory.
