Trump evangelical base 'thrilled' by determination that West Bank settlements are not illegal
Prominent evangelical leaders are celebrating President Trump’s decision to recognize Israeli West Bank settlements as not illegal under international law, a determination that reversed decades of official U.S. policy left in place by Democratic and Republican presidents.
The decision, announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is “the latest in the Trump administration's consistent and considerable support” for Israel, said Pastor John Hagee, founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel. The organization boasts more than 7 million members and is the largest pro-Israel group in the United States.
A fixture of the president’s base, white evangelicals voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016, in proportions above 80%, according to exit polling data. Trump will need to keep the religious right in his corner in order to win key swing states in 2020....