Summary
Israeli settlers in the West Bank, emboldened by Trump’s return and a far-right Israeli government, are pushing for formal sovereignty over the territory.
Settlement activity has surged to record levels under Prime Minister Netanyahu, with nearly 6,000 acres designated as state land in 2024 and dozens of new outposts established.
While settlers see this as fulfilling Biblical claims, Palestinians view it as erasing hopes for a future state.
Critics warn annexation could jeopardize regional stability and U.S.-brokered normalization efforts, such as those with Saudi Arabia.
I’ve heard people say they were both bad, and they were both most appealing to the millionaire/billionaire class - and I would agree - but I really haven’t seen any significant number of people that think they were both equally bad. Maybe one now and then, but certainly not enough that it has stuck in memory.