Senate Democrats press Netanyahu on ‘surge’ in West Bank violence

A majority of Senate Democrats have signed a Wednesday letter urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the “surge” in violence in the West Bank amid tensions from the Gaza war.

The conflict is driven in part by Israeli settlers who are forcefully laying claim to land where Palestinians reside.

“Incidents of fatal violence by settlers have reportedly already surpassed 2025 levels and continue to increase. The last few weeks alone saw a significant surge in violence on both sides, resulting in a large-scale response by Israeli security forces, mass arrests of Palestinians, and reported attacks by settlers on mosques,” the lawmakers, led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), wrote in the letter.

“We urge you to take measures to prevent and intercede in this violence, establish a credible mechanism to investigate violations of law, and to make clear that the Government of Israel will not tolerate violence by its people, just as it does not tolerate violence against its people,” they added.

The Israeli Embassy did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Israeli settler attacks have risen by roughly 63 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, with hundreds of violent incidents recorded, as reported by the United Nation Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

There have been 660 settler attacks during the first six months of the year, compared with the 405 attacks during the same period in 2025.

The escalation has forced the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from rural communities and isolated villages in response to direct threats, property destruction and restricted access to basic resources like water and electricity.

Americans residing in the West Bank have been impacted by the conditions. American Naim Abu Siyam, 19, was shot and killed by Israeli settlers in February inside the village of Mukhmas, while Sayfollah Musallet, 20, of Tampa, Fla., was beaten to death by settlers in July of last year for attempting to protect his family’s farmland.

Democratic senators are urging Netanyahu to intervene.

“We write particularly on behalf of American citizens who have been killed or threatened in such violence. Many of us have heard first-hand from their families and other constituents who have themselves been threatened without cause by settlers,” the senators wrote.

“We have engaged the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and your embassy in Washington to ensure their protection and appreciate measures taken on their behalf, but a more significant response from your government is clearly needed. We ask for your personal and direct engagement and intervention in order to protect our constituents and their families,” they added.

The only two senators who did not sign on to the letter were Democratic Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.) and Alex Padilla (Calif.).