The United States is demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu publicly condemn radical settlers who have besieged Palestinians in their homes in the occupied West Bank. This was reported by American and Israeli officials on Friday. The demand came after settlers increased pressure on residents by setting up a new tent, which was later dismantled by Israeli military forces.
For nearly a week, settlers have surrounded homes in the village of Kusra, cutting off water and electricity supplies and effectively trapping Palestinians inside. Human rights organizations claim that settlers in this area are making coordinated efforts to seize new lands, further reducing the territory where Palestinians seek to establish their own state. Their actions have already drawn public criticism from the US. In particular, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, known as a staunch supporter of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, condemned on Thursday the settlers who besieged a Palestinian home, calling them “Israeli terrorists”.
Political pressure and risks for Netanyahu
American and Israeli officials reported on Friday that White House representatives are pressuring Netanyahu to publicly condemn the settlers’ actions. According to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions, Washington began to protest after it became known that among the besieged homes was that of a Palestinian with American citizenship.
“A stable West Bank ensures Israel’s security and aligns with this administration’s goal of achieving peace in the region”, a White House representative stated on Friday in a comment to Reuters. Netanyahu has not commented on the siege in Kusra, and his office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank has increased over the past three years, particularly after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. Publicly condemning the settlers could be politically risky for Netanyahu, with elections about two months away. Such a move could potentially alienate voters among the settlers, whose support is relied upon by some members of his right-wing coalition. Public opinion polls suggest that Netanyahu may lose power, while his reputation on security remains undermined following the Hamas attacks in 2023.
Assistance to residents and their experience
“We are very scared”, Aisha Hassan, a Palestinian living in one of the three besieged homes, told Reuters by phone. “Nothing new. This has been going on for six days… the settlers are still here”.
Hassan said she saw settlers near the house early in the morning. She also sent Reuters video recordings showing groups of settlers walking under her house. According to her, she filmed these scenes from her window. On Friday, the trapped residents received some aid — including food, bottled water, and canned goods delivered by foreign and Israeli activists. However, the military did not allow the aid to be delivered directly to the homes, explaining that the area is a closed military zone. Activists reported that the military promised to check the aid and deliver it to the families. Hassan noted that the military allowed residents to leave their homes, pick up the aid left on a dirt road, and carry it inside.
Source: Reuters
