US President Donald Trump has canceled an executive order that enabled sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the White House announced Monday.
JINSAFUT, West Bank (AP) — Shortly after suspected Jewish settlers stormed Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank late Monday, setting cars and property ablaze, U.S. President Donald Trump canceled sanctions against Israelis accused of violence in the territory.
Palestinian officials say Israeli forces kill at least 7 people in a new offensive in the occupied West Bank as Trump rescinds sanctions on settlers.
President Donald Trump has lifted US sanctions imposed by his predecessor on extremist settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in a reversal praised by the Israeli far right. Joe Biden's administration had imposed the sanctions on Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of violence against Palestinians.
It appeared possible that Trump might not oppose the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt, the annexation of the West Bank and, in the not-too-distant future, a US-backed Israeli attack on Iran to destroy its nuclear facilities and seek regime change.
Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The release came early Monday, more than seven hours after three Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to Israel.
It appears as if both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are staking their foreign policy legacies on the Israel Hamas ceasefire agreement. And analysts believe both men were crucial to getting both sides to finally reach a deal.
Trump on Monday also signed a directive that could lead to the expulsion of visa-holders who “bear hostile attitudes” toward the country or “advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists.