Trump Reverses Biden-Era Sanctions Amid West Bank Violence

The cancellation of sanctions targeting Israeli individuals and settler groups accused of violence against Palestinians has ignited criticism amid escalating hostilities in the West Bank.

In a significant policy shift shortly after taking office, former President Donald Trump rescinded various sanctions instituted by the Biden administration. These sanctions targeted a range of Israeli individuals and far-right settler groups accused of aggressive actions against Palestinians, including violence and property destruction. Reports indicate that the rescindment came on January 19, 2025, as Jewish extremists engaged in violent protests against a recent cease-fire agreement in Gaza, which had come into effect just two days earlier.

The Israeli military launched a counterterrorism operation on January 20 in Jenin, a city known for its militant activities in the northern West Bank. The operation further escalated the already high tension in the region. Following Trump's decision, Palestinian officials condemned the sanction reversal, asserting that it would likely exacerbate violence and instability amidst the fragile cease-fire.

Hard-right factions in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the Jewish settlement movement had long sought the lifting of sanctions imposed by President Biden through an executive order nearly a year ago. Many ways those within the settlement movement have cultivated relationships with Trump and his allies, including his nominee for ambassador to Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee, fueling perceptions of favoritism toward these groups.

The timing of this decision chaos is significant, as it coincides with a wave of violence in the West Bank, attributed primarily to extremist settlers reacting to the cease-fire. This is the first cease-fire between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of ongoing hostilities, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The initial phase of the agreement includes a six-week truce and the exchange of 33 hostages held in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The specifics of the second phase remain under negotiation, encompassing a potential permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Amidst rising tensions and ongoing hostilities, the implications of the sanctions reversal and the unfolding geopolitical dynamics in the region remain to be seen.