RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The U.S. condemned the siege of Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, where they cut off water, electricity and essential supplies to residents. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the settlers' actions an "act of terror," adding to American pressure that has prompted Israeli forces to intervene. Nick Schifrin reports. William Brangham: Today, the U.S. condemned the siege of Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, where they have cut off water, electricity, and essential supplies to some residents. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called the settlers' actions a -- quote -- "act of terror," adding American pressure that appears to have prompted Israeli forces to intervene. Nick Schifrin spoke with one family victimized by the recent violence, but, first, a look at how it started. Nick Schifrin: The siege began when Israeli settlers turned a home into a prison brick by brick. They closed the only road in, cut off the water and power, and trapped nearby families. Dozens of settlers, as seen in security camera footage, swarmed a home in Qusra, built by a Palestinian-American, trapping his family inside, Qusai Ridi and his teenage son, Ahmed. Just 2.5 weeks ago, settlers set fire to the village mosques, burning the inside, and on the blackened facade left a menacing message: "The land of Israel is redeemed with blood. Revenge." Outside the Ridi family home, the settlers remained even overnight. Their threat forced much of the rest of the village to flee, including 28-year-old Ruqaya Hassan and her daughter. Ruqaya Hassan, House Besieged by Settlers (through interpreter): We woke up many times at night to the sound of stones being thrown at our house, just like the sound of bullets. Nick Schifrin: She escaped with the kids. Her husband remained behind to try and defend their home. Ruqaya Hassan (through interpreter): My daughters were overcome with fear and panic because we were trapped in the house. My daughter kind of became scared. She doesn't go to the toilet by herself for fear that settlers might come. Nick Schifrin: The U.N. says attacks by Israeli settlers have reached unprecedented levels, more than 1,400 incidents in 260 communities just this year, displacing more than 3,800 Palestinians and killing more than 75. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister: It's actually 150 or so what you would call juvenile delinquents. Nick Schifrin: On CNN last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was Palestinians who attack Israelis in the occupied West Bank. Israeli officials speaking to "PBS News Hour"s cite more than 300 Palestinian attacks this May alone. And they argue they have also arrested dozens of settlers in the West Bank. Last month, Netanyahu also vowed to reduce settlers' crime. Benjamin Netanyahu: I think it's wrong on his own account. I don't want and don't accept vigilantism, and I don't care if it comes from Arabs or Jews. Our citizens cannot practice violence against anyone. Danny Danon, Israeli Ambassador to the United States: We are not going anywhere. Nick Schifrin: But just this week at the United Nations, Israel's government vowed to expand Israeli control in the West Bank, referred to in the Bible as Judea and Samaria. Danny Danon: Jews have never been and will never be settlers in Judea and Samaria. The vast majority of residents in Judea and Samaria are law-abiding citizens. Those committing violence are tiny, a tiny fraction of the people living there. Nick Schifrin: Palestinians say the state and settlers are working together. Outside the Ridi family home last weekend, an Israeli soldier joined the settlers in prayer. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces released a statement vowing that any soldier involved will -- quote -- "face disciplinary action." And the statement described the settlers taking over land as -- quote -- "illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity that harms the residents of the areas and disrupts their daily lives." Yesterday, the IDF fired tear gas at the Israeli settlers, but the family remained besieged. So, last night, the U.S. stepped in. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a rare rebuke, labeling the settlers Israeli terrorists, and: "Actions by those who carried out this horrific act of terror meant to intimidate and harass this family are disgusting." This morning, Israeli soldiers evacuated the Ridi family, although they have since returned to the house. The IDF also said it's reinforcing the area with an additional battalion and dismantled nearby settler outposts, which are illegal under Israeli law. But the Ridi family provided the "News Hour" this video today, settlers still roaming outside the family home.
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