Two major themes are emerging in the aftermath of the Dec. 6 statement by US President Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Trump’s statement has opened the floodgates of Israeli expansionism, and Israel is now clearly marching toward becoming a full-fledged apartheid state.

Palestinian officials and a number of Israeli pundits and peace movements have argued that radical elements in the Israeli government have picked up the signals coming from Washington that they can do what they want without having to worry about US or international restrictions.

The ruling Likud Party's Central Committee unanimously endorsed Dec. 31 a resolution calling for the annexation of West Bank settlements, sending a tough message to the Palestinians in the wake of Trump's recognition of Israel's capital.

Nasser Laham, the editor-in-chief of the independent Maan news agency, said in a column published Jan. 1 that the Likud decision has set the stage for theft of Palestinian lands. “Settler companies and Jewish terrorists have been given a wide-open opportunity to steal whatever is left of Palestinian lands, waters, mountains and valleys,” he wrote.