Does Trump Give Israel License to Annex West Bank? A Majority of Israelis Say No.
View of the Israeli settlement of Elkana (foreground), in the West Bank. Image by Getty Images
By Naomi Zeveloff February 8, 2017
As Israeli leaders are sounding the drumbeat for West Bank annexation, a majority of Israelis say “not so fast,” according to a new poll.
The Israel Democracy Institute’s Peace Index found that 53% of Israeli Jews are against annexing large parts of the West Bank, with only 37% in favor.
Since President Trump took office, Israeli leaders like Jewish Home party chief Naftali Bennett have been driving hard for Israel to make certain settlements in the territory Israel captured and has occupied since 1967 an official part of Israel.
So far, Trump has proven sympathetic to Israel’s expansionist wing. In declaring settlements no obstacle to peace, his administration has broken with decades of U.S. foreign policy.
On the question of annexation, Jewish Israelis polled were divided about what should happen to Palestinians in the West Bank should Israel annex the territory. Just under a quarter of them said that Palestinians should be given Israeli citizenship; 30% said that they should be granted residency, presumably like their East Jerusalem brethren who have certain rights but can’t vote for the parliament.
Contact Naomi Zeveloff at zeveloff@forward.com
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