The U.S. Treasury Department, on Friday, officially lifted sanctions imposed on more than 30 Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of orchestrating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This decision follows President Donald Trump’s repeal of over 70 executive orders, including Biden’s Executive Order 14115, which sought to curb extremist settler activity and illegal land appropriation.
President Joe Biden’s 2024 executive order aimed to block U.S. property and financial access for those accused of fueling violence and instability in the region. It targeted groups like the Amana Settlement Movement, known for facilitating illegal outposts, and individuals like David Chai Chasdai, convicted of violent acts against Palestinians. However, the reversal of these measures highlights a stark shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s administration.
The Surge in Violence
Palestinians in the West Bank have endured escalating settler attacks since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023. The conflict has claimed the lives of nearly 47,300 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and injured over 111,500. In the West Bank alone, 873 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 6,700 injured since October.
Amid this turmoil, settler violence has surged. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented over 1,400 incidents of settler attacks in 2024, resulting in the displacement of 4,250 Palestinians and the destruction of 1,760 structures. Despite Biden’s sanctions, these numbers represent the highest levels of violence recorded in nearly two decades. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have accused Israeli security forces of either ignoring or abetting such attacks.
Political Motivations Behind Settler Policies
Trump’s decision to revoke sanctions has drawn praise from Israel’s far-right figures, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Both view the sanctions as undue foreign interference in Israel’s domestic affairs. Ben-Gvir celebrated the move as a “historic decision,” while Smotrich advocated for annexing the West Bank.
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Critics argue that Trump’s actions cater to his pro-Israel voter base and the settlements lobby, which exert significant influence in both Israeli and U.S. politics. A Trump administration official revealed that Israeli officials lobbied for the sanctions’ removal during the presidential transition, emphasizing its importance to the Israeli government.
Implications for Peace Efforts
While Biden’s administration described the Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank as inconsistent with international law, Trump’s move aligns with his broader support for Israel’s settlement expansion. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, calling for the evacuation of settlements. Yet, the lifting of U.S. sanctions undercuts international efforts to address the violence and displacement.
The U.S. decision stands in contrast to policies from the European Union, Canada, the UK, and Australia, which maintain sanctions on settlers and condemn Israel’s settlement activities. Mustafa Barghouti, a Palestinian political leader, has decried these actions as part of Israel’s “ethnic cleansing” campaign in areas like Jenin.
The ceasefire in Gaza, established on January 19, 2025, offers a fragile reprieve, but tensions remain high. The U.S. sanctions’ removal may embolden settlers and further destabilize the region, raising questions about the future of peace and security for Palestinians.