Rep. Dan Goldman and Sen. Cory Booker Urge President Trump to Take Action Against Escalating West Bank Settler Violence 

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter to President Trump expressing deep concern over escalating settler violence in the West Bank and urging the Trump Administration to pressure the Israeli government to protect civilians, ensure accountability, seek justice for the victims of violent crimes already committed, and uphold efforts toward a two-state solution. 

 

"We urge you to press the Israeli government to take significant action to prevent settler violence, hold perpetrators accountable, seek justice for the victims of violent crimes already committed, and ensure the safety and security of civilians in the West Bank,” the Members wrote. 

 

The lawmakers highlighted the near-daily reports of settler violence against civilians that occur throughout the West Bank, including killings, physical assaults, destruction of property, forced evictions, unlawful detentions, death threats, and large-scale intimidation. They point to the July 2025 murder of American citizen Sayfollah Musallet, who was killed after being beaten by extremist settlers, including an extremist settler who was previously sanctioned under the Biden administration –– sanctions the Trump Administration has lifted. 

 

“Unchecked extremist settler violence and de facto or de jure settlement expansion threatens the very seeds of trust and cooperation needed to make progress toward a viable two-state solution, which is fundamental to enduring peace in the region,” the Members wrote. 

 

Goldman and Booker argue that strong U.S. leadership remains essential in preventing further bloodshed and in protecting both Israeli and Palestinian civilians at a time of growing instability. They call on President Trump to use the full weight of American diplomatic tools to press the Netanyahu government to stop the violence and to reinstate sanctions against perpetrators if necessary. 
 

“If the Israeli government does not take such significant action, we urge you to reinstate sanctions against those determined to be responsible for these violent and destabilizing crimes,” the Members concluded. 

 

 

Dear President Trump,  

 

We write to you regarding our concerns about escalating tensions and settler violence in the West Bank. Two years ago, we expressed similar concerns to President Biden. Today, instability in the West Bank has grown and increased instances of extremist settler violence continue to endanger innocent lives, fuel incitement and retaliatory action, undermine Israel’s security, and threaten efforts to pursue peace in the region. The Netanyahu government’s lack of action to address extreme settler violence emboldens Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups, and builds resentment in the West Bank, while putting increased pressure on the fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza that your Administration secured. More must be done to stop settler violence and ensure that those who perpetrate acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank are not allowed to operate with impunity.  

 

According to publicly available reports, instances of settler violence against civilians occur “on a near daily basis throughout the West Bank,” yet very few perpetrators are held accountable. According to Israeli military data, during the first six months of this year, there was a “surge” in settler attacks on Palestinian civilians, and reports of violent incidents have continued since. These attacks include killings, physical assaults, destruction of property—including homes, vehicles, and agricultural lands—forced evictions, unlawful detentions, death threats, and large-scale intimidation. During one such attack in July 2025 near the town of Sanjil, a Palestinian-American citizen from Florida, Sayfollah Musallet, was killed after being beaten by extremist settlers, including an extremist settler who was previously sanctioned by the U.S. government—sanctions imposed by the Biden administration that were lifted by your administration. Despite U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee calling for “accountability” and “an aggressive” investigation into this “criminal and terrorist act,” there has been no comprehensive investigation to date and no perpetrators identified have been held accountable and brought to justice. This is unacceptable in the case of any American killed abroad, and we urge you to do more to seek justice for Mr. Musallet and his family.  

 

The number of violent attacks—those on Palestinian agricultural lands, which are relied on for livelihoods—have spiked during this year’s harvest season. For example:  

 

 

This vigilante violence is not isolated. It is systemic and aims to impede a viable two-state solution. It is consistent with broader systemic efforts to approve illegal expansion of settlements, demolitions of Palestinian homes and structures, and annexation of the West Bank, including Prime Minister Netanyahu’s most recent actions regarding the controversial E1 settlement project. Taken together, these actions by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s governing coalition increase instability in the West Bank, risk the safety of Palestinian and Israeli civilians, threaten Israel’s security, and isolate Israel further, while undermining peace efforts in the region. This includes the Abraham Accords, a critical achievement during your first Administration. As a result, we urge your administration to speak out against settlement expansion, demand accountability for settler violence, and continue to publicly oppose annexation.  

 

As the only two members of Congress who were in Israel on October 7, 2023, and who steadfastly support the special U.S.-Israel relationship and a secure and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians, we continue to believe that a two-state solution is the only viable option that affirms and protects Israel’s right to exist as a democratic, Jewish state and ensures the Palestinian people’s right to human dignity, prosperity, self-determination, and a state of their own. Unchecked extremist settler violence and de facto or de jure settlement expansion threatens the very seeds of trust and cooperation needed to make progress toward this goal, which is fundamental to an enduring peace in the region.  

 

As a result, we urge you to press the Israeli government to take significant action to prevent settler violence, hold perpetrators accountable, seek justice for the victims of violent crimes already committed, and ensure the safety and security of civilians in the West Bank. If the Israeli government does not take such significant action, we urge you to reinstate sanctions against those determined to be responsible for these violent and destabilizing crimes.  

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.