In brief
In the heart of the West Bank, Israelis living in settlements are increasingly hopeful that their dreams of annexation might become a reality under the new U.S. administration, following a tumultuous period marked by violence and political change.
Eliana Passentin, a resident living in a settlement perched high above the ancient site of Shiloh, reflects the sentiments among settlers as they await new policies. Settler leaders feel reassured after observing key appointees in President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet who have shown past support for Israeli claims to the West Bank. This belief gained traction following the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, leading many to consider a Palestinian state as a fading prospect.With almost 500,000 Israeli settlers residing in the territory alongside approximately 2.7 million Palestinians, the stakes remain high. The latter group, and much of the global community, assert that the West Bank is vital for a future Palestinian state and view the settlements as illegal under international law. Despite the historical complexities, leaders in the West Bank express confidence that the prospective U.S. administration will endorse Israeli actions regarding annexation, a move Israel has refrained from formally pursuing since the territory's occupation began in 1967. “We want to live our lives in Israel,” Passentin states emphatically, signifying her hope for viable political support from abroad to legitimize their presence in the region.
