In brief
With confidence growing among West Bank settlers regarding the potential for annexation as Trump returns to power, leaders believe their dreams are within reach despite past experiences.
In the tranquil hills of the West Bank, Eliana Passentin enjoys the sweeping views from her home, which overlooks areas rich in biblical history, including ancient Shiloh. While she cherishes her settling place nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, Passentin feels an overwhelming desire for her community to be officially annexed by Israel.As Donald J. Trump prepares for a second term, settlers' hopes have been reignited. The administration's recent appointments, including Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Mike Huckabee as the prospective ambassador to Jerusalem, have bolstered these aspirations. Hegseth has previously made media appearances in Shiloh, and Huckabee has a longstanding history of supporting Israeli claims in the West Bank.There are about 450,000 settlers like Passentin in the West Bank, as well as approximately 2.7 million Palestinians. The latter group and many in the international community view the settlements as illegal and see the territory as earmarked for a future Palestinian state. However, the recent conflict in Gaza and the attacks on Israel appear to have altered the political dynamics, with settler leaders expressing confidence that the dream of a Palestinian state is fading.“We want to live our lives in Israel,” remarked Passentin, expressing faith that the incoming administration will endorse whatever direction Israel chooses to pursue regarding the West Bank. The sentiment reflects a growing anticipation among settlers for a shift towards annexation of West Bank territories, a move that has historically faced substantial global opposition since Israel captured the area in the 1967 Middle East war.The recent escalation in violence, particularly the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, has catalyzed a more favorable atmosphere for settlers who are now more optimistic about the annexation possibility, viewing it as an essential step towards solidifying their presence in the region. As new leadership takes shape, settlers are keenly watching how policies unfold that may finally fulfill their long-held aspirations.
