'Deal with it': US presses Netanyahu to condemn settler violence

A standoff involving extremist settlers in the West Bank village of Qusra has created unusual tension between Israel and the United States, with Israeli officials saying Washington is pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly condemn the violence. Netanyahu has not done so, though Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a condemnation after American pressure reached senior government levels, with very senior White House figures involved in the contacts behind the scenes. "The Americans want to hear a public condemnation from Bibi, and they haven't gotten it so far," One Israeli official said.

The incident began when settlers surrounded Palestinian homes in Qusra, blocked access to them and cut off water and electricity supplies. One home belongs to a family with U.S. Citizenship, heightening sensitivity for Washington.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued an unusually harsh condemnation, calling the acts "terror" And those responsible "Israeli terrorists," And said the embassy had intervened with Israeli authorities. Israeli officials characterized Huckabee's remarks as part of sustained American pressure on Netanyahu to issue an unequivocal public condemnation.

Speaking at a ceremony, Katz said: "Violent disturbances, I say unequivocally, we are against this." He added that only authorized Israeli bodies should exercise force and warned that such violence causes "very serious damage among our friends."

Israeli officials believe Netanyahu is reluctant to personally confront extremist settlers due to political risks with the right and coalition partners, which is why Katz delivered the message instead. Washington, however, views Qusra as more than a local matter. Israeli officials said the administration regards the involvement of an American citizen and Israel's response with particular severity, with some seeing negligence, gross mishandling, or possible deliberate inaction.

Israeli officials warn the issue damages Israel's closest alliances. "They don't accept that it can't be enforced. Deal with it," One said, noting sensitivity increases when U.S. Citizens are affected.

Officials also point to broader concerns about declining support for Israel among younger Republicans and growing unease in traditionally sympathetic groups. Pew data cited by officials showed 57% of Republicans aged 18 to 49 held an unfavorable view of Israel in April 2026, up from 50% a year earlier. Among those aged 18 to 29, 64% expressed unfavorable views. Other July figures showed 42% of Republicans aged 18 to 29 viewed Israel favorably, compared with 83% aged 65 and older.

Concern also extends to evangelical Christians, traditionally a central pillar of U.S. Support for Israel. "The ethos is compassion for the weaker party," One official said. "Israel is perceived as a country that allows this, doesn't prosecute them and gives them free passage."

Another official said weak enforcement undermines Israel's argument that outside intervention is unnecessary because Israeli institutions investigate themselves. Officials also cite insufficient transparency about whether suspects are investigated, what conclusions are reached, and what action follows.

Oded Revivi, former mayor of Efrat, defended Huckabee and rejected attempts to portray his criticism as hostile to the settlement movement. "Don't try to label Ambassador Huckabee, one of the greatest friends of the settlement enterprise in the United States, as a leftist," Revivi said. "If a true friend like Huckabee has to bang on the table, all of us need to stop and ask how we lost our way and fix it immediately."

For Washington, the central question is whether Israel can show equal enforcement of the law. Israeli officials say Americans want arrests, investigations, indictments, and assurance that suspects are not left free.

Officials also noted American pressure prevented a move to remove Palestinian families from their homes. The message was clear: "the victims cannot be the ones forced to pay the price for the violence."

One senior Israeli official summarized Washington's position: "There is no violence without someone responsible. Deal with it."