Tue Jan 21 10:23:10 UTC 2025: **Trump Reverses Biden’s Sanctions on Israeli Settlers, Sparking Outrage and Acclaim**

JERUSALEM – Former US President Donald Trump has overturned sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The move, announced Monday, has been met with strong praise from Israeli officials but condemnation from Palestinian authorities.

The sanctions, implemented in February, targeted several far-right individuals and groups, freezing their US assets and barring US entities from business dealings with them. The Biden administration cited concerns over escalating settler violence and land seizures in the occupied West Bank, actions it argued undermined prospects for a two-state solution.

Trump’s executive order reversing the sanctions was hailed by Israeli officials as a “historic decision” and a sign of renewed US friendship. Yossi Dagan, head of the Northern West Bank Settlements Council, called the sanctions “scandalous,” while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich lauded Trump’s “deep connection to the Jewish people.” Far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir described the reversal as rectifying a long-standing injustice.

However, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the move, stating that it would embolden settlers to commit further crimes against Palestinians. The ministry’s statement comes amidst a surge in violence in the West Bank, with at least 860 Palestinians killed and thousands injured since October 2023, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Recent incidents included settler arson attacks on Palestinian property, reportedly carried out under the protection of Israeli soldiers.

The timing of Trump’s action, coinciding with ongoing conflict in Gaza, has added fuel to the already tense situation. The dispute highlights the deep divisions over Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, which is considered illegal under international law. Israel, however, maintains its historical and biblical claim to the land. The differing perspectives underscore the ongoing challenges to achieving a lasting peace in the region.

Read More