1 week ago
US Senate Democrats urge Israel to curb West Bank violence
Many Democratic senators in the United States asked Israel’s prime minister to do more to stop violence in the West Bank.
They said attacks by some settlers have recently increased.
They also criticized mass arrests of Palestinians by Israeli security forces.
The senators said nine Americans had been killed there by settlers or security forces since 2022.
They want Israeli police and soldiers to stop violent attacks no matter who starts them.
They also asked Israel to stop approving new settlements and remove illegal outposts.
Israeli officials say the country’s leaders have repeatedly condemned violence against Palestinians.
Rights groups say Israeli forces sometimes fail to act quickly when settlers attack Palestinian communities.
A letter signed by 42 of 47 Senate Democrats urged Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settler violence and mass arrests in the West Bank.
The lawmakers said nine American citizens had been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank since 2022.
They called for Israeli forces to prevent and intervene in violent confrontations regardless of who commits them.
The senators urged Israel to halt new settlements and illegal outposts and remove existing outposts.
Israeli officials have condemned violence against Palestinians, while rights groups say Israeli forces often respond slowly to settler attacks.
- Who
- Forty-two Senate Democrats, including Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer, and Cory Booker, wrote to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- They urged Israel to curb settler violence, limit mass arrests of Palestinians, investigate American deaths, and halt settlement and outpost expansion.
- Where
- The West Bank, including Palestinian communities such as Qusra.
- When
- The letter was reported on August 26; it referred to violence in recent weeks and nine American deaths since 2022.
- Why
- The senators cited a significant surge in settler violence, attacks on Palestinian sites, mass arrests, and reported failures to adequately investigate or prevent attacks.
Senate Democrats and rights groups
Israeli government officials
Response to settler violence
Senate Democrats and rights groups
The senators said violence by settlers has surged and urged Israeli police and military forces to intervene regardless of who is responsible. Rights groups say Israeli forces are often slow to respond or stand by during attacks.
Israeli government officials
Israeli officials say the president and prime minister have repeatedly condemned violence against Palestinians.
Settlements and outposts
Senate Democrats and rights groups
The senators called for Israel to stop approving additional settlements and illegal outposts and to remove existing outposts.
Israeli government officials
The article reports no specific response from Israeli officials to this request.
U.S. support for Israel
Senate Democrats and rights groups
Many Democrats have advocated significantly reducing or ending U.S. military aid because of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
Israeli government officials
The Israeli government continues to face pressure from U.S. officials, while President Donald Trump has said little about the West Bank situation.
Key facts
- Letter support
- Signed by 42 of the 47 members of the Senate Democratic caucus.
- American deaths
- The senators said nine American citizens had been killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank since 2022.
- Recent shooting
- Officials said an Israeli man guarding settlers killed a 17-year-old and a 70-year-old Palestinian man after opening fire toward civilians.
- Requested security action
- The senators asked Israeli police and military personnel to prevent and intervene in confrontations regardless of the perpetrators.
- Settlement policy
- The letter called for an end to additional settlements and illegal outpost construction, as well as removal of existing outposts.
- U.S. policy debate
- Many Democrats have called for curtailing or ending billions of dollars in annual U.S. military aid to Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
Sources
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