Former Israeli officials urge Trump to pressure Netanyahu over West Bank settler violence

A coalition of more than 500 former U.S. officials, including diplomats, intelligence officers and senior policymakers, met with former President Donald Trump this week to warn that escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank poses a strategic risk to Israel’s long‑term security and diplomatic standing. The group, which numbers roughly 550 individuals, presented a briefing that highlighted a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, the destruction of property, and the increasing use of firearms and explosives in areas such as Hebron, Nablus and the Jordan Valley. According to the officials, the pattern of intimidation and lethal force not only fuels resentment among the Palestinian population but also undermines Israel’s relationships with key allies and hampers any prospects for a negotiated two‑state solution.

The former officials urged Trump to leverage his influence with the Israeli government to curb extremist activity, calling for stricter enforcement of existing security protocols and a renewed commitment to the rule of law in the territories. They emphasized that unchecked settler aggression could lead to broader regional instability, potentially drawing Israel into a cycle of retaliation that would damage its economic interests and international reputation. While Trump has previously expressed support for Israeli settlement expansion, the briefing signaled a shift among senior U.S. voices toward addressing the security fallout of settler‑related incidents. The meeting concluded with a request for the former president to convey the concerns to Israeli leaders and to consider incorporating measures to reduce violence into any future diplomatic initiatives.