Several members of the US Congress have spoken out against the ongoing wave of state-backed Israeli settler terrorism against Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The lawmakers expressed their outrage and demanded accountability and justice for the Palestinians, including US citizens, who have faced violent threats from Israeli settlers during the recent raids on villages in the occupied West Bank.
Congressman André Carson said in a tweet, “There must be accountability and justice for Palestinians, whose lives and property are at risk at the hands of violent, armed Israelis acting under the protection of the Israeli military. This Israeli settler violence must end.”
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said “Silence and expressions of concern without action while the extremist apartheid Israeli government intensifies its campaign of violence, terror and death is shameful.”
“Our country funds this violent and racist government with close to $4B. It’s time that ends,” Tlaib added.
US Representative Chuy García also posted on Twitter, “I have received reports that constituents, friends, and their families visiting loved ones in Palestine have faced violent threats from Israeli settlers during the recent raids on villages in the occupied West Bank.”
He added, “Even as my colleagues and I work with authorities to stop the current settler attacks, Palestinians will continue to face threats to their homes, livelihoods, and safety. As a close ally of Israel, the US can’t continue to tolerate systemic violence against Palestinians.”
The US lawmakers’ statements came amid a surge of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and properties across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with the support and protection of the Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli settlers have carried out more than 1,000 attacks on Palestinians since the beginning of 2023, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries, as well as extensive damage to homes, farms, mosques and churches.
The Palestinian leadership has repeatedly called on the international community, especially the International Criminal Court (ICC), to intervene and hold Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people.
Palestinians requested the ICC Prosecutor to expedite addressing the case files referred to the Court on the crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces and armed settlers against the Palestinian people.
The Israeli occupation has continued to expand its illegal settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, in defiance of international law and UN resolutions.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the Israeli approval of the construction of tens of thousands of new housing units in its illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, within six months.
The ministry said that such actions belittle international resolutions and undermine any prospects for peace based on a two-state solution.
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