American Billionaires Are Pouring Money Into an Emerging Jewish Battleground
- Beit El is a big donation draw for Trump aides and officials
- But attempts to solve Palestinian conflict may curb its growth
The Problem With Israeli Settlements
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Tucked amid the terraced rocky hills of the West Bank and overlooking the Arab city of Ramallah, the Jewish settlement of Beit El has long been a religious touchstone for Jews and a source of anger for Palestinians. Now it is turning into a symbol of the tug-of-war for the sentiments of the Trump administration.
A gated town of 6,500 built around a Jewish seminary, or yeshiva, Beit El is far beyond the frontier settlement blocs that are likely to stay inside Israel as part of a future two-state solution. American supporters pour $2 million a year into its educational institutions. One contributor has a rare distinction: he went on to become president of the U.S. -- Donald Trump.