Following the inauguration of Donald Trump, representatives from Israeli settlements feel that the US government supports them and are pressuring senior-level Capitol Hill officials to change America’s attitude toward the Israelis in the West Bank.
At the same time, they are also calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take action to protect the settlements as quickly as possible just hours before the Israeli cabinet is set to discuss applying Israeli sovereignty over Ma’ale Adumim.
Meanwhile, hundreds of housing units in Jerusalem were approved after the plans were delayed due to the Obama administration’s opposition. Israel approves permits for 566 settler homes after Trump inauguration.
In the beginning of this week’s government meeting, Netanyahu announced that he would speak to Trump by the end of the day. “We are welcoming President Trump,” said Netanyahu, who also said that he appreciates Trump’s “deep friendship” for Israel as well as his “declared intentions to fight against radical Islamic terror with full power and force.”
“We have many topics to discuss: the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the situation in Syria and also the Iranian threat,” added Netanyahu.
According to the representatives from Israeli settlements who attended Trump’s inauguration, Capitol Hill officials are hinting that the new administration supports settlements and strengthening the ties with Israelis in the West Bank, heavily contradicting Netanyahu’s claims that he was asked by associates close to Trump’s administration not to surprise them with unilateral steps.
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