US House Speaker Johnson Visits West Bank Settlement Ariel

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson made a landmark private visit to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, becoming the highest-ranking American official to do so. During the visit, Johnson used the biblical term "Judea and Samaria" for the West Bank and affirmed that the land belongs to the Jewish people by right, signaling strong support for Israeli settlements and criticism of the international label of "occupied territories." Johnson dined with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed ongoing issues such as the war in Gaza and aid deliveries, while also planning meetings with Palestinian leaders during his Middle East trip. The visit, organized by the U.S. Israel Education Association and accompanied by Republican lawmakers, reflects a growing push among some U.S. officials and Israeli leaders to consider full Israeli annexation of the West Bank, with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee indicating diminishing U.S. interest in a Palestinian state. This visit underscores a shift in U.S. policy and highlights partisan support in Congress for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the disputed territory, despite international opposition.