US urges Israel to deter settler attacks in West Bank

The United States said on Oct. 17, 2026, that it wants Israel to do more to deter attacks committed by settlers in the West Bank. Reuters

American and European officials condemned a spate of violence in the West Bank in October 2026. The New York Times U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned settler violence during an olive harvest in the West Bank that injured several people. News10

The harvest period in October and November has brought confrontations over access to olive groves. Huckabee's condemnation followed reports of injuries during this year's harvest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned violence but cast doubt on the reported assault of an American photojournalist by settlers described as extremist in the West Bank. The Times of Israel

Washington made a similar appeal in August 2026. At that time, the United States wanted Netanyahu to publicly condemn settlers described as militant who besieged Palestinians. Reuters

U.S. government reports have cited Israeli groups that track confrontations around the harvest. The State Department's 2023 human rights report on Israel, the West Bank and Gaza cited the Israeli non-governmental organization Yesh Din reporting 99 incidents of settler attacks intended to prevent olive harvesting. U.S. State Department

A State Department report excerpt said the non-governmental organization Rabbis for Human Rights documented 19 cases of settler intimidation and violence during the October-November annual olive harvest in the West Bank. U.S. State Department