Newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump, rescinded a series of sanctions imposed by former president Joe Biden on a group of Israeli settlers accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians.
A webpage titled “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions” was published on the White House website shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
According to the White House website, Trump rescinded Executive Order 14115, issued on Feb. 1, 2024, which had authorized the imposition of certain sanctions “on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank.”
The Biden administration had slapped sanctions on several individual settlers and settler organizations, freezing their U.S. assets and generally barring American businesses and organizations from having dealings with them.
The announcement of the canceling of sanctions against the settlers and settlement groups was met with strong support by leaders in the settler movement and Israeli politicians who support the settler movement.
Shai Alon, head of the Beit El Council, thanked Trump and called for the Israeli government to take advantage of the moment.
“This is the time for sovereignty. I call on the government and its leader to take advantage of every moment and work tirelessly for Israel,” Alon said.
“The entire settlement movement greets President Trump and thanks him for his loyalty and willingness together. The President proved, already in his first moments in office, that the settlements in Judea and Samaria are no different from anywhere else, strengthening Israel’s sovereignty and security,” Alon said.
“This is the first step that shows that the winds of change in the settlements in Judea and Samaria have begun, and even greater things are yet to come.”
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Council, said, “President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the scandalous sanctions of his predecessor, Biden, upon entering the White House, is not only an important moral message, it is also a political message that the United States is once again a friend of Israel.”
Former Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett also thanked Trump for helping with the hostage deal and canceling the sanctions.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked Trump for his “just” decision to lift the sanctions.
“Mr. President, your firm and uncompromising stand by the State of Israel is an expression of your deep connection to the Jewish people and our historic right to our land. I have no doubt that during your term, we will continue to strengthen our strategic partnership and deepen our friendship based on shared values of belief in justice, freedom, and security,” Smotrich wrote on 𝕏.
Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also thanked Trump, saying, “I welcome the historic decision of incoming US President Donald Trump to lift the sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on the settlers of Judea and Samaria.”
He also expressed his hope that Trump would change the policy towards the Hamas terror group.
“Now, all that remains is to hope for a change in policy towards the terrorist organization Hamas, in a way that will not allow them oxygen and deals that help them continue their activities,” Ben Gvir posted to 𝕏.
Trump administration officials have not indicated that he will support the applying of Israeli sovereignty to the territories of Judea and Samaria but many in the Israeli settler community hope that he will.
