Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Press Biden Admin on West Bank Settler Violence

Letter

Dear Mr. President,

We write to express concern about threats to West Bank stability and the risks these threats pose
to U.S. national security interests and to civilians. As Israel confronts the atrocities of the
October 7th Hamas attacks, and threats in Gaza and southern Lebanon, it is crucial that U.S. and
Israeli policy reinforce the stability and security of the West Bank.

Alarming incidents of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians represent an acute
destabilizing risk that must be mitigated to prevent wider conflict in the region. Israeli media has
reported that Shin Bet, the Israeli internal security service, is itself concerned that settler violence
could inflame the West Bank.1 Moreover, reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) that Israeli forces at times accompany extremist settlers as they
attack Palestinian people, evict them from their homes, and destroy property, are cause for
serious concern and must be addressed.2

If additional action to prevent these violent attacks is not taken, we worry that civilians and U.S
national security interests will suffer grave harm. The situation is likely to exacerbate anger and
grievance among the people of the West Bank and across the Arab world, inhibit efforts to
cooperate with Arab states against shared threats, and undermine moderate Palestinian leaders
who can offer an alternative to Hamas and make peace with Israel. Ultimately, these conditions
could provoke widespread violence and a broader conflict.

We are encouraged by recent statements from the White House emphasizing the need to mitigate
settler violence. We also note the vital role that the U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the
Palestinian Authority (USSC) is playing to manage risk in the area.

However, more must be done. We urge your administration to enhance its diplomatic efforts to
prevent further violence and respectfully request a briefing from your administration on current
policy to address incidents of extremist settler violence and the forcible displacement of
Palestinians in the West Bank.

1 "Shin Bet said to warn settler violence could cause West Bank eruption." The Times of Israel. October 30, 2023.
2 "Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #23." United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). October 29, 2023.

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Thank you for your timely response to this request.

Sincerely,

Source