TEL AVIV – In light of the criticism of the two-state solution from advisers to Donald Trump, and the billionaire’s pledge to “remove the blemish of the previous administration,” a member of Knesset from Israel’s right-wing Jewish Home party is calling for new settlement construction.
“I urge the prime minister and the entire government to stand behind the settlements in Judea and Samaria, and announce today the construction of thousands of new housing units, planning and construction of new towns and cities,” MK Bezalel Smotrich said, adding that doing so would “remove the blemish that the previous administration sought to implement – that the settlements are an obstacle to peace.”
Meanwhile, MKs across the political spectrum congratulated Trump on his win.
Zionist Union co-leader Tzipi Livni took to Twitter to commend the Republican victor.
“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump,” she tweeted. “I hope for the U.S. and the world that he actualize the promises of his acceptance speech, not the campaign.”
Zionist Union chairman Isaac Herzog said Trump’s campaign was indicative of “the continuation of a global trend of disgust with the old, power elite and the desire for swift and direct change.”
He described the Trump election as a “social, economic and leadership tsunami,” and added that it could lead to change in Israel as well.
Likud MK Yehuda Glick highlighted Trump’s forthright attitude as a factor in his victory:
“It appears that the American people are tired of hypocrisy and political correctness and prefer straight talk,” Glick said on Wednesday morning.
Glick, an activist who urges Jews to pray at the Temple Mount, added that he hopes Trump will “ascend the Temple Mount and lead from the source of light and energy a dialogue of world reconciliation and peace.”
The Likud MK further invited Trump to “visit Israel and Judea and Samaria to see for himself, as he claimed, that settlement is the way to peace.”
Likud MK Oren Hazan, who has been mired in scandal in recent weeks over allegations of drug-taking, said he always knew Trump would win.
“My friends in the media, I don’t want to say I told you so, but it’s fitting,” Hazan tweeted.
Hazan compared the media scrutiny surrounding Trump to his own.
“In the beginning, there were those who called Trump a clown (sound familiar?) and I answered that he would be the next president!” Hazan added, sharing a video clip of an interview with the Jerusalem Post in which he predicted Trump would win.
Likud Minister Tzahi Hanegbi said he hoped the new president will fulfill his promises to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and change American policy toward Iran.
MK Dov Henin (Joint List) said that Trump won because of an “angry majority disregarded by pollsters and analysts.”
“The anger at the establishment is not only understandable, but justified in the light of record inequality and the widening gap between rich and poor. There are lessons to be learned in Israel. People will be willing to join a movement for change if we make it,” Henin said.
Likud Minister Ophir Akunis addressed Trump directly on Twitter, writing: “Congratulations Mr. President Elect. The American people have spoken. The alliance between Israel and the United States is strong and will remain strong.”