US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in front of his supporters at the Capital One Arena in Washington on his inauguration day, 20 January 2025: Carlos Barria/ Reuters
On the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders, many of which have a direct or indirect impact on US policy in the Middle East. His actions are aimed at revising the decisions of the Biden administration and restoring the policies implemented during Trump’s first term, The Jerusalem Post reports .
Among the key steps are the lifting of sanctions against Israeli settlers imposed by the Biden administration and the possible suspension of funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich thanked Trump for this step, calling it a “fair decision.”
Another important decision concerns the resumption of heavy bomb shipments to Israel, which were suspended during the Biden presidency. This is part of the new administration’s overall approach to strengthening military cooperation with key allies in the region.
New appointments and their impact
The confirmation of Marco Rubio as US Secretary of State was another signal of new priorities. Known for his unconditional support for Israel, Rubio promised to strengthen the strategic alliance between the two countries. His appointment was also welcomed by Kurdish leaders, who expect further strengthening of US support in the region.
Reconsidering the approach to terrorism
One of the signed orders was to step up the fight against terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump noted that these groups are expanding their influence globally, and the United States must strengthen its defences both domestically and internationally.
Peace and stability
The president also hinted at the possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. Saudi Ambassador to the United States Reema Bandar Al Saud congratulated Trump and expressed hope for further deepening of cooperation between the two countries.
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Trump stressed the need to rebuild the region after the war and noted that Gaza has the potential to prosper due to its strategic location.
