Palestinian Americans Report Surge in Israeli Settler Violence

Palestinian Americans in the West Bank villages of Turmus Ayya and Deir Dibwan report a surge of violence from Israeli settlers, including gunfire, arson, and intimidation. Residents, many of whom hold U.S. citizenship, claim the U.S. government has failed to protect them. Since 2022, nine Palestinian Americans have been killed in the West Bank by settlers or the Israeli military.

Local leaders and residents allege that Mike Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, actively supports the settlers' claims to the land. While the U.S. embassy reportedly assisted in one instance to remove the Israeli military from a home, residents argue the ambassador's visits to the Shilo settlement hub signal an endorsement of the outposts attacking their villages.

In response, the United States Department of State condemned violence by any party and denied that the U.S. supports Israeli annexation of the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Israel has seen its prosecutors charge six settlers with terrorism and arson following a firebomb attack against a 60-year-old Palestinian American retiree in Deir Dibwan.