The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump took a new step aimed at imposing restrictions on federal funding allocated to states by updating a memorandum issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The update includes stricter rules requiring states not to support any efforts to boycott or restrict relations with Israel, with any state taking such actions threatened with the loss of relief funds totaling $1.9 billion.

Under the new memorandum, states applying for funding must commit to not supporting or implementing any measures that boycott Israeli companies or those dealing with Israel, as part of the conditions for obtaining disaster and emergency funding. This comes in the context of the Trump administration's attempt to exert political influence over the domestic policies of states, particularly regarding their stance on Israel.

In a subsequent development, official data showed the Trump administration retracting its previous position, as the policy stating that states must affirm not to sever trade relations with Israeli companies to be eligible for funding was removed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website. Homeland Security spokesperson Trisha McLoughlin confirmed that "federal emergency management grants are not affected by critical political policies, but remain governed by current law and policy."

In another context, the Palestinian territories have been experiencing unprecedented escalation since October 7, 2023, by the Israeli occupation, supported by the U.S. administration, as occupation forces carry out a genocide in Gaza, including killing, destruction, starvation, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and judicial orders to stop the aggression.

The massacres have resulted in the martyrdom of more than 210,000 Palestinians, including children and women, and injuries to tens of thousands, in addition to hundreds missing, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands from their homes, amid a famine that has claimed many lives, all while there is a troubling international silence and disregard for just humanitarian and legal demands.