Alon Shvut, West Bank – Following the October 7 attack by Hamas, Jewish settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank are intensifying efforts to align with the U.S. Republican religious right to oppose a sovereign Palestinian state. Ruth Lieberman, a political consultant and Jewish settler in Alon Shvut, has been pivotal in this movement.
Lieberman recently hosted pro-Israel Senator Mike Lee for a Shabbat meal, during which they discussed the heightened Israeli opposition to Palestinian statehood post-attack. Such visits, Lieberman asserts, are crucial in aligning the views of senior Republican officials with those of the settlers and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, an evangelical Christian, is among the U.S. politicians who have shown support. Johnson visited Lieberman’s family in 2020 and has maintained ties since. Lieberman and a delegation of settler officials recently met with Johnson and Lee in Washington, advocating against a two-state solution.
In a series of interviews and visits to West Bank settlements, Reuters found that grassroots groups of settlers, Israel’s religious right, and conservative Christians are lobbying to influence the Republican Party’s stance on Palestinian statehood. They argue that supporting a Palestinian state rewards violence, referencing the October 7 attacks.
Although former President Donald Trump has hinted at potential changes in U.S. policy if re-elected, neither he nor the Republican Party has made definitive statements on the matter. Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized Trump’s strong support for Israel without detailing specific policy positions.
Historically, the U.S. has supported the two-state solution, backing the Oslo Accords. However, recent polling in Israel shows decreasing support for this approach, with a notable increase in backing for West Bank annexation.
Israeli settlers and their U.S. allies are leveraging the influence of evangelical Christians, a significant conservative force in American politics, to bolster their cause. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and other leaders have launched the “Keep God’s Land” campaign, aiming to persuade Trump and the Republican Party to reject Palestinian statehood through religious media and conferences.
The campaign has gained traction, with over 1,000 Jewish and Christian faith leaders joining. Tony Perkins, a key figure in evangelical advocacy, has been instrumental in fostering this alliance and continues to advocate for Israel as a priority in the Republican campaign.
As the situation evolves, Netanyahu’s government has accelerated settlement expansion in the West Bank, drawing international criticism. Palestinian spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh warns that denying Palestinians statehood will only lead to further conflict, emphasizing the need for a negotiated agreement.
This burgeoning alliance between Israeli settlers and the U.S. Republican religious right underscores the complex and evolving dynamics influencing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and U.S. foreign policy.
