Residents of Qusra, a village in the occupied West Bank, have remained indoors for days due to threats from Israeli settlers. The Israeli military, known for its powerful capabilities, hasn’t fully removed the settlers despite being within an hour’s drive from Tel Aviv. The U.S., which heavily supports Israel militarily, criticized the situation, highlighting a Palestinian American homeowner from Ohio. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the settlers ‘terrorists,’ while Israel’s defense minister dismissed them as ‘radical misfits.’ These settlers are part of a larger movement, backed by Israeli governments, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aiming to solidify Israeli control in the area.
These settlers, originating from nearby outposts, had incident late August 2026, when they protested the removal of a metal Star of David structure from a Palestinian building. The event, supported by peace activists, aimed to defend local landowners from seizure threats.
Settlements in the West Bank, built since the 1967 Mideast war, now home over 500,000 Jews. The land is desired by Palestinians for a future state. Israel has constructed nearly 150 official settlements, transforming areas into suburban-like developments with full amenities. Radical settlers have created more unauthorized outposts, still receiving military protection.
Netanyahu’s nationalist and religious government continues to expand these settlements. Recent deployments in Qusra coincided with Cabinet celebrations over rebuilding a previously dismantled settlement. The current Israeli administration and many political figures see the West Bank as a historical Jewish homeland, deeming settlements as crucial for security. However, the international community mostly views these developments as illegal and hindering peace prospects.
Palestinians, around 3 million in the West Bank, live under Israeli military rule. The Palestinian Authority has limited control, mainly in urban centers. Israeli military operates throughout, using administrative detention for suspected Palestinian militants, often for extended periods without charges. Conversely, Israeli settlers enjoy Israeli citizenship, with legal matters handled by Israeli police and courts.
In 2024, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated settlers would no longer face administrative detention. Instead, law enforcement responsibilities would transfer to Israeli police, emphasizing the military’s focus on counterterrorism and border protection, not policing settlers.
This change echoes an existing dual legal system, which human rights critics compare to apartheid, a claim Israel denies. The Israeli police, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, face scrutiny. Ben Gvir, a settler, has past convictions including support for a terrorist organization.
Despite condemning settler actions in Qusra, the military often prioritizes settler protection. According to rights group Yesh Din, most investigations into settler violence conclude with no charges. The violence surged after the October 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza war. In response, the Biden administration sanctioned settlers, including Israeli organizations linked to violence.
Western countries imposed further sanctions, blaming officials like Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting anti-Palestinian violence. However, these had limited effects as settlers rallied behind them. Under Trump, these sanctions were reversed, aligning his policies more closely with Israel, including appointing Huckabee as ambassador and relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
Netanyahu needs support from settler leaders to maintain his political position. Despite criticism of West Bank unrest, most Israeli leaders, including opponents, endorse existing settlement growth while opposing Palestinian statehood. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military leader challenging Netanyahu, criticized the government for ignoring extremist violence. Nevertheless, he remains against West Bank annexation but supports settlement development aligned with Israel’s interests.
Naftali Bennett, a pro-settlement figure and Netanyahu rival, condemned the violence, labeling such acts as ‘terrorism.’ Bennett insists violence be addressed internally, without external pressure. During his brief tenure as prime minister, his government sanctioned further settlement expansions.