THE mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, a town in Judea, Israel, announced on Wednesday that a significant municipal land area will be renamed “Trump One” (T1) in honour of US President Donald Trump.
The decision comes as a gesture of appreciation for Trump’s support of Israel during his tenure.
Mayor Guy Yifrach expressed his optimism about the future, stating, “Trump’s second term is a unique opportunity to strengthen Jewish communities, especially in Judea and Samaria.
We trust Trump and believe that he will promote construction in the region in the coming months.” The renamed area, spanning 4,000 acres, was previously known as E1 or Mevaseret Adumim and lies within the municipal boundaries of Ma’ale Adumim, part of Area C in the West Bank.
Israel retains full administrative and security control over this area under Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
The area is seen as crucial for Israeli territorial expansion, with plans for over 3,000 new homes aimed at addressing housing shortages in the region.
However, these plans have faced opposition, particularly from the international community, including the Biden administration, which has expressed concern about the development of settlements in the area.
Despite this, Mayor Yifrach referred to the T1 zone as “a strategic asset,” emphasising the need for territorial continuity between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem.
The renaming follows a similar tribute to President Trump in the Golan Heights. In 2019, Trump recognised Israeli sovereignty over the region, and in response, Israel named a new community “Ramat Trump” in his honour.
The announcement has garnered praise from Israeli leaders, who have also commended Trump’s executive actions that reversed sanctions imposed by the Biden administration.
These sanctions had targeted residents of Judea and Samaria accused of violence against Palestinians and had involved cutting off funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Trump’s administration also re-imposed sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court, actions that were viewed positively in Israel.
With the renaming of the land to “Trump One,” Ma’ale Adumim further solidifies its ties with the US, marking a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing efforts to expand its settlements in the West Bank.
