Will Trump’s victory bring new life to beleaguered border community of 'Trump Heights'?

Former President Donald J. Trump famously moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2017, and also saw the signing of the Abraham Peace Accords in 2020, but many overlook his formal recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

However, there is one small hamlet – "Trump Heights" – that still remembers Trump's contributions. Following his recent election success, officials have voiced their future hopes for the community that bears his name.

Although Trump’s sudden decision to accept Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights may have been somewhat eclipsed by the seismic events of the embassy move and the Abraham Accords, it was also highly significant. And the small village of Trump Heights was dedicated to him during a formal ceremony on the U.S. leader's birthday in 2019.

“President Trump’s return to the White House definitely puts the town in the headlines,” said Ori Kallner, head of the Golan’s Regional Council in northern Israel.

The anticipation of Trump’s return to office is something many Israelis are celebrating, and the people of Trump Heights (Ramat Trump in Hebrew) hope it may bring new interest to the community. 

Back in 2019, it was anticipated that naming the community after the popular president would draw more residents, injecting new life and prosperity into the area.

Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed, particularly due to the constant rocket bombardment from Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, which has caused more people to move away.

Yarden Freimann, Trump Heights community manager, was positive about what the U.S. presidential election results might bring, telling The Times of Israel, “Maybe it can raise more awareness and maybe some support to help here and help our kids here.”

Kallner was also optimistic, explaining how Trump Heights residents made preparations for future housing developments, including dozens of plots of land along with new roads and infrastructure.

Currently, only a few dozen families reside in Trump Heights. However, attracting new residents could secure funding for enhanced security measures and open up additional opportunities for growth and development.

Due to its proximity to both Lebanon and Syria, residents only have about 30 seconds to find shelter in the event of an air raid siren. Schools are shut down and life has seemingly been put on hold because of the relentless rocket fire.

“We find ourselves hanging by our fingernails to be in our own community, not be evacuated,” Freimann said, “and on the other hand, we cannot work, we cannot send our kids to any kind of an education system.” 

Israel gained control of the Golan Heights from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and, in 1981, annexed the area which is located close to the borders of both Lebanon and Syria, less than eight miles each way.

The move has been vehemently contested, however, in 2019, then-President Trump unilaterally tweeted that the United States was prepared to “fully recognize” Israel’s control of the territory. Although the decision has remained in place even after Trump left office, no other nation has followed suit so far, something Kallner hopes will change.

The border towns of the Golan Heights have been directly in the line of fire since Hezbollah forces began firing at Israel as part of the seven-front attack by Iranian proxies.

To date, 41 civilians living in the north have been killed in the near-daily airstrikes, and about 60,000 have been evacuated from their homes, crippling the local economy.

Still, Kallner, who represents the residents in the area remains upbeat about the future, saying, “The Golan community is strong and resilient, and people that want to come and live here are from the same material. I believe we will overcome these challenging times and won’t stop growing.”