President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions imposed by the previous Joe Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals. The sanctions, introduced by Executive Order 14115 on February 1, 2024, targeted individuals accused of undermining peace and stability in the occupied West Bank, News.bg reports.
They included a freeze on US assets and a ban on business transactions with US citizens. Trump's decision signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Israeli settlers and underscores his administration's different approach.
Biden's arguments and the effects of sanctions
The Joe Biden administration introduced sanctions to hold extremist groups responsible for violence against Palestinians and for blocking the peace process, including a potential two-state solution.
According to U.S. officials, these actions contributed to escalating tensions and hindered the establishment of a sustainable solution to the conflict. The sanctions have provoked a sharp reaction from Israel, especially from figures who support the settlements.
Geopolitical implications and historical context
Trump's decision comes at a time of increasing violence in the West Bank, including cases of settler attacks and land grabbing. Israel disputes the international definition of the settlements as illegal, citing historical and biblical claims to the territory.
During his first term, Trump had already reversed the US position by recognizing the settlements as legitimate, a move that Biden later reversed.