Trump Lifts Sanctions on Jewish Settlers in West Bank

On his inaugural day in office, President Donald Trump abolished sanctions that the previous Biden administration had enacted against individuals committing violence against civilians in the West Bank, aimed primarily at Israeli settler groups.

According to the White House, Trump on January 20 revoked Executive Order 14115, which was established on February 1, 2024, authorizing specific sanctions “on Persons Undermining the Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank.”

During the final days of his administration, President Joe Biden had prolonged his year-long state of emergency declaration in the West Bank, permitting sanctions against those responsible for violence against civilians in the region.

The Biden administration had sanctioned 17 individuals and 16 groups across eight different rounds over the past few years. These included Israelis identified by the State Department as being involved in violent assaults against Palestinians and the appropriation of Palestinian land.

The sanctions escalated to encompass close associates of the outgoing National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir.

The final round of sanctions targeted the Amana development arm of the settler movement. Leaders of this movement were present at Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Yisrael Gantz, head of the Yesha Council—an umbrella organization for settler mayors—attended the event. In October, Gantz expressed his anticipation that Trump would lift the sanctions should he win the U.S. elections.

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Trump’s decision comes amid ongoing violence in the region, part of which is administered by the Palestinian Authority, which seeks recognition as an independent Palestinian state, while Jewish residents prefer Israeli annexation.

Trump’s approach has upset some factions on the Israeli right, as he is perceived to have pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into conceding to a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal that these groups consider detrimental to Israeli security. The agreement includes the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in exchange for at least 33 hostages held by Hamas during the first phase of an evolving negotiation.

Meanwhile, Trump is making compensatory gestures towards the settler movement, considered to be the most militant faction on Israel’s right.

Netanyahu has stated that Trump and the incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz have assured him that the U.S. will support Israel’s return to military action should Hamas violate any terms of the temporary cease-fire agreement.

Treasury Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler leader residing in the West Bank, expressed gratitude to Trump on the X social media platform for his decision to revoke the Biden administration’s sanctions against settlers and right-wing organization activists.

He denounced the Biden administration’s sanctions as a significant and blatant interference in Israel’s internal matters.

“Mr. President, your steadfast and unwavering support for the State of Israel reflects your deep connection to the Jewish people and our inherent right to our homeland,” Smotrich stated.

“The State of Israel anticipates ongoing collaboration to bolster our national security, expand settlements throughout our homeland, and enhance Israel’s stature globally.”

The recent violence has resulted in at least 11 fatalities.

On Tuesday, Israel announced the commencement of a counterterrorism operation in Jenin by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed that the operation aims to “eradicate terrorism” and will be “extensive and substantial.”

The health ministry of the Palestinian Authority reported that six individuals were killed, and nearly 35 were injured during the initial two hours of the operation.

The IDF regards the West Bank as one of the fronts in Israel’s seven-front conflict. They are attempting to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to Hamas and PIJ for potential use in the West Bank or mainland Israel.

The region, envisioned by the United Nations in 1947 as a potential Arab state as Britain prepared to withdraw, was first occupied by Jordan in 1948 and subsequently by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. Many Israelis refer to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria.

Jewish residents have faced accusations of recent violence against Palestinian residents. Conversely, they contend that they have been victims of similar, often underreported violence from Palestinians, forcing them to resort to self-defense.

Reports emerged of overnight violence by Israelis on January 21. The IDF noted that an initial investigation into an attack on two Palestinian settlements indicated that numerous assailants were involved and that IDF personnel were also targeted.

“Scores of Israeli civilians, some masked, arrived at night in the al-Funduq area … setting property ablaze and causing damage,” stated the IDF. “Upon receiving notices of the incident, IDF and Israel police units were deployed. The civilians retaliated by throwing rocks and assaulting the security personnel.”

The villages, Jinsafut and Al-Funduq, are situated in Samaria, approximately 50 kilometers north of Jerusalem and west of Nablus.

The rioting was eventually quelled by the IDF. An IDF review revealed that its initial responders did not act with sufficient urgency to halt the violence, although a subsequent wave did take necessary risks to successfully intervene.

Israeli officials condemned that outbreak of violence. Shin Bet director Ronen Bar characterized these incidents as “Jewish terror.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized, “The IDF and security forces are the ones combatting terrorism, and no one else.”

Smotrich distanced himself from the incident while stating on social media, “the rioters in Jit have no connection to the settlements and settlers.

“They are criminals who must be dealt with by law enforcement authorities with the utmost severity.”

Even influential settler leaders have expressed concerns regarding the violence.

Beni Katzover, a co-founder of the now-banned Gush Emunim movement in 1974 and one of the leaders of the first Jewish settlement in Samaria, Elon Moreh, in 1973, is often regarded as a pioneering figure in the Jewish settlement movement in the West Bank. He served as president of the Samaria Regional Council from 1980 to 1993.

“It is more damaging to the Jewish settlement endeavor than any deterrence it might create against the Arabs.”

Simultaneously, he noted that the Palestinians gain propaganda advantages from the global media coverage of these incidents.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.