Israel Must Protect West Bank’s Palestinians Amid Settler Pogroms: US Envoy

The visit of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee to the occupied West Bank has brought attention to a long-standing issue: the systematic violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. While Huckabee’s words are welcome, they are unlikely to change American policy or the trajectory of events on the ground.

The Israeli government’s complicity in settler violence is evident in the sharp rise in pogroms since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition took office in late 2022. This culture of impunity among settlers is encouraged by their leaders and has resulted in a series of violent attacks against Palestinians, including roadblocks and harassment.

One family’s experience illustrates this reality: Ruwan Alqam and her family, Palestinian Americans who relocated to Turmus Aya four months ago, face violence every time they leave their home. Their car was attacked with rocks in Nablus, leaving them feeling desperate for attention.

The Biden administration’s willingness to do more than pay lip service to Palestinian rights is the real question. Despite successive US administrations conveying the message that crime is crime and terror is terror, little tangible effect has been seen. The increasing number of settlements in the West Bank, despite being illegal under international law, speaks to a deliberate effort by Israel to sever Palestinian ties to Jerusalem.

This is not merely a land grab; it’s about redefining identity and belonging in the region. The Israeli government’s actions are an attempt to erase Palestinian presence from the map. The trend has far-reaching implications: it normalizes violence as a means of asserting dominance, disregards international law and human rights, and destabilizes the region.

As the Biden administration weighs its response, it must consider whether words alone will suffice or if concrete action is needed to pressure Israel into compliance. The line between settlers and terrorists has grown increasingly blurred; policymakers must acknowledge this reality and act accordingly.

The future of the Middle East hangs in the balance. Will the US administration continue to issue warnings and condemnations, or will it take bold steps to prevent further conflict?