President Donald Trump hinted at an upcoming announcement regarding a US proposal for the occupied West Bank during a recent interaction with reporters. When asked about supporting Israeli sovereignty over the region, Trump mentioned ongoing discussions with representatives and indicated that an announcement on the topic could be expected within the next four weeks.
For some right-wing Israelis, the Trump administration's tenure presents a potential opportunity to expand Israeli control in the West Bank, where over 500,000 Jewish settlers reside on land captured by Israel in the 1967 war. It's important to note that these settlements are deemed illegal under international law.
During his first term, Trump departed from the traditional US stance on the illegality of settlements, with some of his appointees suggesting Israel's right to annex the West Bank. Elise Stefanik, the incoming US ambassador to the United Nations, has expressed agreement with the notion of Israel having a 'biblical right' to annex the region. Similarly, Mike Huckabee, the anticipated US ambassador to Israel, has previously made controversial statements regarding the Palestinian identity.
Recently, Republican Senator Tom Cotton introduced legislation mandating the use of the term 'Judea and Samaria' in all official US documents instead of 'West Bank.' This move underscores the belief in Israel's historical and legal claim over the region, as stated by Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
Meanwhile, Israel conducted a significant military operation in the West Bank following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the adoption of tactics from the Gaza offensive to combat militant groups and prevent the resurgence of terrorism. The city of Jenin in the northern West Bank bore the brunt of Israeli military actions, leading to the displacement of all 30,000 residents of the Jenin refugee camp due to the destruction of numerous residential units.
