STORY: The Israeli settlement of Shilo is perched in the highlands of the occupied West Bank. Jewish settlements such as Shilo have recently seen rapid expansion onto land claimed by Palestinians.And Jewish settlers are optimistic that incoming U.

The occupied West Bank has been transformed by the rapid growth of Jewish settlements in land that Palestinians see as the heart of a future state.

As Donald J. Trump nominates staunch supporters of Israel to key positions, advocacy groups are taking aim at the departing administration's policies.

Advocates of Jewish settlement in the West Bank believe they have reason to celebrate after Donald Trump's election win

Supporters of Israel's decades-old settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territories have been quick to welcome Donald Trump's recent U.S. election victory and what they clearly expect will be a boon to their aim of formally annexing the West Bank.

Where the high hills of the occupied West Bank tumble into the Jordan valley, half a dozen heavy Israeli diggers pound the ancient rocks around the Palestinian village of Bardala.

Israeli settlers in the West Bank are optimistic about President-elect Donald Trump's support for annexing the territory. During his previous term, Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and acknowledged Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights,