In a move combining politics and celebration, Psagot Winery, nestled in Israel’s Jerusalem mountains, has unveiled a new red wine named “President Trump.” The release of this wine marks the former U.S. president's support for Israeli interests, particularly his past backing of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The wine launch event, held by leaders of the Yesha Council, a prominent settler group, was also an opportunity for various settler advocates to call for the extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank—a move they believe Trump would support.
In a show of optimism following Trump's election victory, leaders of the Israeli settler movement expressed hope for a shift in policy that would allow for annexation of the West Bank territories.
Israel Ganz, the head of the Yesha Council, and Shai Alon, mayor of the Beit El settlement, voiced support for actions that would assert Israeli control over these contested lands, often referred to as Judea and Samaria. They argued that now is a strategic time to consolidate Israeli presence and expand settlements in the region.
Ganz emphasised that annexing the West Bank could bring “true peace” and stability to the area, signalling his belief that Israel’s permanent control would foster security.
His sentiments were echoed by Alon, who described this moment as “a golden age for settlement,” and advocated for widespread construction and development. Both leaders also requested an end to U.S. sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on settlements and some settler activities, which have created tensions within the Israeli right-wing and settlement communities.
This call for sovereignty has received support from Itamar Ben Gvir, the leader of the Otzma Yehudit party and National Security Minister. Speaking in the Knesset, Ben Gvir said that the time was right to pursue “total victory” in the West Bank.
He proposed not only to solidify Israeli governance in the area but also suggested laws such as the death penalty for convicted terrorists, highlighting his firm stance on national security issues.
Historically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also shown interest in extending Israeli control over the West Bank, particularly in 2020, when he proposed annexing settlements and the Jordan Valley.
This plan, however, was deferred when Trump introduced his peace proposal, which included the potential establishment of a limited Palestinian state with strict conditions.
Though the plan allowed for Israeli annexation in certain parts of the West Bank, it received mixed reactions from right-wing figures and settler groups who objected to any inclusion of a Palestinian state.
With Trump's victory, these leaders see an opportunity to advance Israeli interests in the region without the constraints previously imposed. The annexation and expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank are seen by settler advocates as essential steps toward consolidating Israeli control and dismantling the Palestinian pursuit of statehood.
They argue that sovereignty in the region would ultimately lead to stability, whereas any plan involving a separate Palestinian state would only create more instability.
The release of “President Trump” wine serves not only as a symbolic gesture but as a rallying cry for pro-settler groups to press forward with their agenda. Ganz stated at the winery event that Trump's favourable stance on Israeli settlements provides hope that policies undermining these settlements could soon change.
He reiterated that any plans for a Palestinian state should be abandoned, expressing the belief that a singular Israeli state spanning the Jordan to the sea is the only path forward.
Alon echoed this sentiment, describing the opportunity as unparalleled and emphasising the need for “great resolve” in securing the West Bank. For these leaders, the Trump-inspired wine launch event symbolises a hope for a future in which the West Bank is fully integrated into Israel, while also seeking to dispel the idea of a two-state solution.
As part of the larger geopolitical picture, the Trump administration’s peace plan had set certain expectations for Israel's settlement movement, although it was shelved after Trump lost the 2020 election.
Under the Biden administration, settlement expansion has faced restrictions and has been a point of contention between the U.S. and Israeli officials. This backdrop adds a layer of urgency for settler leaders who view Trump’s renewed influence as a critical moment for policy change.
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