In brief
In the wake of geopolitical shifts, West Bank settlers feel encouraged that their aspirations for annexation may align with the incoming Trump administration's stance.
Eliana Passentin resides in a Jewish settlement high in the West Bank, enjoying a breathtaking view that stretches from the Jordan River to the coasts of the Mediterranean. She dreams of her community officially becoming part of Israel—a hope that seems increasingly tangible given the political developments in the United States. Recent appointments within President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration, particularly those seen as favorable towards Israeli interests, have fueled optimism among West Bank settlers. Key figures such as Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary and Mike Huckabee, set to become the ambassador to Jerusalem, have publicly championed the idea that all areas of the West Bank should be considered part of Israel. With a demographic backdrop of nearly 500,000 settlers and about 2.7 million Palestinians residing in the region, the narratives surrounding the future of this contested land continue to evolve. Following the Hamas-led incursion into Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023, settlers feel that hopes for an independent Palestinian state have diminished significantly. They foresee greater possibilities for Israel to exert sovereignty over parts or all of the West Bank—a move that has historically faced widespread international resistance after Israel’s capture of the territory during the 1967 war with Jordan."We want to live our lives in Israel," Passentin expressed, reinforcing the sentiment among many settlers that the new U.S. administration may support Israeli decisions regarding the land. As the potential for altered U.S. policies looms, those in settlements like Shilo and Eli remain watchful for shifts that could empower their long-term desires for the annexation of these areas.
