Donald Trump Opposes West Bank Annexation Amid Growing US-Israel Tensions Over Settlements
President-elect Donald Trump reportedly opposes Israel's ambitions to annex the occupied West Bank, according to Republican Party sources cited by Ynet News. A top Republican Senator close to Trump revealed that the incoming president sees annexation as “a mistake for Israel” that could damage its international reputation, which has already been weakened by over a year of war in Gaza.
Trump’s Stance on Annexation and Saudi-Israel Normalization
Trump is said to be particularly concerned that annexing the West Bank would derail efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a priority for his administration. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is actively pushing to foster these ties, viewing them as a cornerstone of the incoming administration’s Middle East strategy.
While Trump has nominated several pro-Israel officials to key cabinet posts, Republican insiders suggest he is cautious about supporting moves that could isolate Israel further or derail regional diplomacy.
US Sanctions on Israeli Settlement Activities
In a related development, the Biden administration recently imposed sanctions on three Israeli private construction firms involved in settlement activity in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, marking a historic step in targeting private entities linked to illegal settlement expansion.
Axios reported that these sanctions represent the first US action of its kind against private companies facilitating illegal settlement growth. Right-wing Israeli settler groups and the Netanyahu government have called on Trump to reverse these measures upon taking office.
Also Read: Iran Condemns U.S. Veto of UN Ceasefire Resolution on Gaza
Potential Policy Reversals by Trump Administration
Reversing Biden’s executive orders on settler violence and settlement expansion could be one of Trump’s initial foreign policy actions. These sanctions, implemented over the past ten months, have become a focal point of controversy among US-Israel relations.
Settler Groups Eye Trump’s Administration as a “Dream Team”
Right-wing Israeli settlers and Zionist activists have expressed strong support for Trump’s administration, seeing his pro-settlement appointments as a "unique and special opportunity" to advance their agenda. According to The Guardian, they view Trump’s cabinet as a “dream team” that could reshape the region by expanding Israeli presence in the West Bank and effectively ending the possibility of a Palestinian state.
The incoming Trump administration’s approach to the West Bank and Israeli settlements will likely be a defining issue in its foreign policy, with far-reaching implications for US-Israel relations and the broader Middle East.