Israel's finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to push for the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank once US President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Smotrich emphasized his aim for 'Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria' and declared that '2025 will be the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.' Over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal by the international community. Smotrich and other settler leaders are counting on Trump's expected return to pro-settler policies from his first term.