for settlers to obtain building permits. The government has also pushed through new roads, military checkpoints and other infrastructure projects that connect settlements to each other and to Israel proper. Despite the Biden administration’s criticism, settlers have continued to expand their presence in the West Bank, with some advocates openly calling for Israel to annex the entire area.
For Palestinians living in the West Bank, the expansion of settlements and the prospect of annexation represent a direct threat to their hopes for a future state. Many feel increasingly isolated and surrounded by Israeli settlements, with their access to land and resources becoming more limited as the settler population grows.
The international community, including the United Nations, has consistently condemned Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank as a violation of international law and a major obstacle to peace. The recent increase in settler violence has only added to concerns about the situation on the ground.
As the Trump administration prepares to leave office, the future of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank remains uncertain. While some settler advocates are hopeful that Trump’s pro-Israel stance will lead to further expansion and eventual annexation, others warn of the potential consequences for broader regional stability and peace efforts.
For now, the fate of the West Bank hangs in the balance, with the actions of Israeli leaders, Palestinian activists, and international allies all playing a crucial role in determining its future.