US and Israel Clash Over West Bank Policies
In a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tensions arose over Israel's actions in the West Bank. The US expressed worries about settler violence, settlement growth, and the freezing of Palestinian tax funds.
Key Concerns Raised by the US
The US team, including top advisors, voiced their concerns during the discussions:
- Unchecked settler attacks and the expansion of settlements could lead to more instability.
- Withholding billions of dollars in tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority is pushing it towards collapse.
Diplomatic Tensions and Optimism
Despite these disagreements, both sides kept the conversation friendly. The US fears that more chaos in the West Bank could hurt efforts to stabilize Gaza and expand the Abraham Accords.
Trump's Perspective
When asked about the disagreements, Trump admitted there were differences but remained optimistic:
"We have had a big discussion for a long time on the West Bank, and I wouldn’t say we agree on the West Bank 100 percent. But we’ll come to a conclusion on the West Bank."
The US is also pushing Israel to release the withheld tax funds. Israel collects these taxes for the Palestinian Authority but has refused to transfer them since the October 7, 2023, attack led by Hamas. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich believes these funds support terrorism and has even suggested causing the Palestinian Authority to collapse through economic pressure.
Trump did not elaborate on the specific disagreements but expressed confidence in Netanyahu:
"Netanyahu will ultimately do the right thing."
Netanyahu's Challenges
Netanyahu faces strong pressure from his far-right coalition partners, who support:
- Further settlement expansion
- West Bank annexation
- The collapse of the Palestinian Authority
Settler Violence and Legal Actions
Settler violence has surged over the past year, with over 752 incidents recorded since the start of the year. These attacks often go unpunished, and prosecutions are rare. Critics accuse the Israeli government of ignoring these attacks.
Beyond settler violence, Israel has been entrenching its presence in the West Bank. Recently, it announced 11 new settlements and legalized eight additional outposts. The United Nations reported that settlement expansion has reached its highest level since 2017, a claim Israel disputes.
Positive Diplomatic Tone
Despite the disagreements, the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu was described as "the best" of their six meetings since Trump returned to office. Both leaders praised each other during a press briefing, with Trump calling Netanyahu a "wartime prime minister" who has "done a phenomenal job."
