On Day One, Trump Cancels Sanctions Targeting West Bank Israeli Settlers

On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump rescinded sanctions imposed by the previous administration on Israeli settler groups in the West Bank. The announcement was included in a new White House webpage titled “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions,” released Monday following Trump’s inauguration.

The page outlined the administration’s intent to reverse policies seen as detrimental to US institutions and allies. Among the policies revoked was Executive Order 14115, issued by President Joe Biden on February 1, 2024, which targeted individuals and groups accused of contributing to instability in the West Bank.

Biden’s executive order described "extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction" as threats to regional peace and US foreign policy goals, including the viability of a two-state solution. The sanctions aimed to address what the administration deemed an “extraordinary threat” to US national security and Middle East stability.

The sanctions, which included extensive provisions, were extended by Biden in October 2024, a move that drew criticism from Israeli officials and settler leaders.

Trump’s rescission marks a clear shift in US policy toward the West Bank under his administration. While Biden’s policy framed settler activities as a destabilizing force, Trump’s actions reinforce his administration’s historically strong support for Israel and its policies in the region.

The decision was anticipated by Israel Ganz, chairman of the Yesha settler council, who predicted that Trump would reverse the sanctions if he returned to office. Trump’s move signals a return to a more aligned stance with Israel’s right-wing leadership, further solidifying the US-Israel relationship.

The lifting of sanctions is expected to bolster settler activities in the West Bank, sparking potential friction with the international community and US allies who continue to advocate for a two-state solution. Trump’s administration is expected to focus on supporting Israel’s strategic and political goals while advancing broader peace initiatives in the Middle East.

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