Settlers lash out at Trump, spark war of words with Netanyahu
Settler leaders are now attacking the Trump administration as they resist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's annexation plan, which they fear will lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to remarks by settler leader David Elhayani that US President Donald Trump and his senior adviser Jared Kushner are not true friends of the State of Israel. In a June 3 statement, Netanyahu strongly condemned Elhayani's words, saying, “President Trump is a great friend of the State of Israel. He has led historical moves for the State of Israel, including: Recognizing Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the legality of settlements in Judea and Samaria," referring to the West Bank.
Earlier in the day, Elhayani, head of the umbrella settler body called the Yesha Council, said, “Trump and Kushner had shown through the proposal that they are not friends of the State of Israel and do not consider the security and settlement interests of the State of Israel."
