Prominent Democratic lawmakers in the United States are urging former President Donald Trump to exert pressure on Israel to curb the rising violence carried out by settlers in the occupied West Bank. In a strongly worded letter sent recently, Senator Cory Booker and Representative Dan Goldman highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of attacks against Palestinians, emphasizing that such incidents often go unpunished.
“This vigilante violence is not isolated. It is systemic and aims to impede a viable two-state solution,” the lawmakers wrote, pointing to a pattern of organized and persistent aggression. Citing data from the United Nations, they noted that more settler attacks were documented in October than in any month since 2006, with over 260 reported incidents.
The lawmakers called on the US administration to hold Israel accountable and, if necessary, reinstate targeted sanctions against settlers who engage in such acts, underlining the need for international pressure to prevent further escalation. Senator Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Goldman stressed that settler violence is not only a human rights concern but also a significant barrier to achieving lasting peace in the region.
The letter referenced Israeli military data indicating a marked surge in settler attacks this year, including the high-profile killing of Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet in July. The perpetrators involved had previously been sanctioned during the Biden administration, raising concerns about the persistence of impunity and the failure of enforcement mechanisms.
Democratic lawmakers emphasized that consistent accountability is essential for preventing further violence and for fostering conditions that could support a viable two-state solution. They urged Trump to leverage his influence to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and that systemic measures are implemented to prevent future incidents, signaling continued international scrutiny of the situation in the West Bank.
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