Israel's settlers see sanctions relief if Donald Trump wins US election

Washington and others have imposed asset freezes and banking restrictions on violent settlers, outposts and groups

Smoke fills the sky after Israeli settlers set fire to the properties of Palestinian villagers in the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir. Picture: AP Photo/Nasser Nasser

Israel's settlers are closely watching the US election, a leader of the community said, expressing confidence that if Donald Trump wins he will lift what they see as illegitimate sanctions imposed on some of them for attacks on Palestinians.

As much of the world's attention has focused on the war in Gaza, growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank and land grabs in the occupied territory have raised concern among some of Israel's Western allies.