US Senate Democrats urge Israel to halt violence in the West Bank

- 45 of the 47 Democratic members signed the letter addressed to Netanyahu

- Lawmakers called for an investigation into the killing of 9 Americans in the West Bank since 2022

- Halt the establishment of new settlements and the construction of illegal settlement outposts

Democratic members of the U.S. Senate urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to rein in the “surge” of violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank and the mass arrests of Palestinians carried out by Israeli security forces in the occupied territories.

In a letter to Netanyahu signed by 45 of the 47 Democratic senators, which was reviewed by Reuters, lawmakers pointed to rising levels of “lethal violence committed by settlers.”

They also urged the prime minister to intensify investigations into the deaths of nine U.S. citizens, whom they said were killed by settlers or security forces in the West Bank since 2022.

The letter stated that the “major surge” of violence in recent weeks was followed by a “broad response by Israeli security forces, mass arrests of Palestinians, and reports of attacks by settlers on mosques.”

This letter represents the latest sign of escalating tensions between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli government over its handling of the West Bank, where several party members have also called for restrictions on military aid to Israel due to its conduct in the war in Gaza.

The letter was drafted by Senator Adam Schiff of California, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who has long been one of Israel’s strongest supporters in Congress, and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey.

Officials said an Israeli man guarding a group of Jewish settlers entered Palestinian land last week and fired toward civilians, killing a 17-year-old boy and a 70-year-old man.

Senators urged Netanyahu to issue clear instructions to the police and military to prevent and intervene in violent clashes in the West Bank “regardless of the identity of those responsible.”

Israeli officials said that authorities, including the president and prime minister, have repeatedly condemned violence against Palestinians.

The letter also called on the Israeli government to halt the approval of new settlements and the construction of “illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank,” and to take steps to dismantle existing outposts.

Democrats in Congress and many party candidates running in this year’s midterm elections have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu and his government following Israel’s war in Gaza.

Health authorities in Gaza state that more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that erupted after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel led by Hamas. In turn, Tel Aviv reports that the attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, as well as the abduction of more than 250 hostages to Gaza.

With the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement in Gaza stalled and settler violence in the West Bank escalating, many Democrats have called for significantly reducing or completely halting billions of dollars in annual military aid to Israel.

President Donald Trump has made few comments regarding the situation in the West Bank. However, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described extremist settlers as “Israeli terrorists” and told Reuters this month that those responsible for besieging the Palestinian town of Qusra may face U.S. sanctions.