House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called on the Trump administration Monday to pressure the Israeli government to intervene against settler violence in the West Bank. In a statement posted to the social platform X, Jeffries characterized the recent actions by settlers as an "ongoing siege" of Palestinian homes and labeled the activity unacceptable. He requested that the administration compel Israel to protect the lives and property of Palestinian civilians.
The appeal comes amid a reported increase in violence in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. While Jeffries has previously faced criticism from some activists for his stance on the region, he was among 100 House Democrats who voted against a bill to send aid to Israel last month. Tensions in the territory have escalated as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has expanded West Bank settlements since 2022.
Specific incidents recently centered on the village of Qusra, where the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported conducting a military operation to dismantle two illegal outposts. Reuters reported that settlers had besieged three homes in the village for a week, cutting off water and electricity while blocking access. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a supporter of the Netanyahu government, condemned these specific attacks, referring to those responsible as "Israeli terrorists."
The request by Jeffries highlights a policy debate within the U.S. government regarding how to handle the Netanyahu administration's rejection of U.S.-led peace proposals. Last week, Netanyahu rejected a 15-point plan proposed by President Trump that called for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Gaza. The disagreement sets a precedent for how the U.S. executive branch balances its support for Israel with the humanitarian concerns raised by congressional leadership and international observers.
What happens next depends on the Trump administration's response to these calls for intervention and the progress of the Gaza Board of Peace. The board, an international body created by Trump, is tasked with the long-term reconstruction of Gaza following years of bombardment. While special envoy Jared Kushner recently met with Netanyahu to discuss moving forward with the administration's peace plan, the Israeli government has maintained it will not withdraw until Hamas militants surrender their weapons.