Americans in West Bank doubt US election will make a difference

As Palestinian-American entrepreneur Jamal Zaglul stood by his olive press at the end of harvest season in the occupied West Bank, his mind was far away on the Nov 5 US election.

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Like other US passport holders living in Turmus Aya - where they form the majority - he was skeptical the ballot would bring change to the region.

"Here we have problems. Nobody (in the US) cares about us," said the businessman in his 50s.

Violence in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has surged since the Gaza war erupted after Hamas' unprecedented Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Mr Zaglul spoke fondly of former US president Bill Clinton, under whose administration the landmark Oslo Accords were signed, creating arrangements between the Palestinians and Israel.

"This time we need to start changing. We have to have another party - a separate party, independents," Mr Zaglul said. "The other ones, they're not helping us."

Fellow dual national Basim Sabri planned to vote for a third party candidate in protest after "eight years of miserable administration".