Trump Administration Lifts Sanctions on West Bank Residents and Entities

The Trump administration officially lifted sanctions against West Bank residents and groups on Jan. 24.

The sanctions, revoked by the Treasury Department, were imposed by the Biden administration in response to alleged violence, such as preventing humanitarian convoys from reaching Gaza during the Israel–Hamas conflict.

A ceasefire has since been reached between Israel and Hamas to temporarily halt the hostilities.

The groups that were sanctioned by the United States included Hashomer Yosh, Meitarim Farm, Eyal Hari Yehuda Company, Amana, Binyanei Bar Amana, Neriya’s Farm, Lehava, Tsav 9, and Hamahoch Farm.

Individuals who were sanctioned included Yinon Levi, Shabtai Koshlevsky, Isaschar Manne, Neriya Ben Pazi, Zvi Bar Yosef, Yitzhak Filant, Zohar Sabah, Reut Ben Haim, Itamar Yehuda Levi, and Aviad Sarim.

According to the State Department’s statement on Aug. 28, 2024, Hashomer Yosh, led by Koshlevsky, allegedly provided support to Meitarim Farm, Levi, Ben Pazi, and Bar Yosef.

“Following the forced evacuation of all 250 Palestinian residents of Khirbet Zanuta in late January, Hashomer Yosh volunteers cordoned off the village to prevent their return,” stated then-State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

“The volunteers also assisted by tending to the livestock and allegedly ‘protecting’ the outposts of individuals designated by the U.S.”

Filant serves as the security coordinator in the West Bank neighborhood of Yitzhar.

Miller mentioned that “even though Filant’s position is comparable to that of a security or law enforcement official, he engaged in malicious activities beyond his jurisdiction,” citing an incident where in February 2024, Filant “led a group of armed settlers in setting up roadblocks and patrols to harass and expel Palestinians from their land.”

Zohar Sabah, as per Miller, “threatened and carried out violent acts against Palestinians, including within their homes, displaying a trend of destructiveness in the West Bank.”

Miller also stated that Sabah was involved in the attack on the al-Ka’abneh elementary school near Jericho in September 2024, resulting in injuries to multiple Palestinians at the school.

In a statement on Nov. 18, 2024, Miller mentioned that the Eyal Hari Yehuda Company “supplies vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs used in construction activities that have expanded the physical boundaries.”

Shortly after taking office, Trump voided an executive order that permitted the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the mentioned entities and individuals.

During his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the West Bank-related sanctions would be revoked.