Pro-Israel Democrats decry settler violence in West Bank amid attacks on Palestinians

Key Points:

• Israeli settlers have escalated violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, with Israeli forces often not intervening, leading to growing condemnation from US Democratic legislators and public figures who usually support Israel.
• Since the start of the month, at least 10 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and police, prompting calls from pro-Israel Democrats like Ritchie Torres and Daniel Goldman for accountability and prosecution of extremist settler violence.
• Several Aipac-backed politicians, including Ruben Gallego and Jacky Rosen, have publicly condemned the attacks, reflecting a shift in US political attitudes as voter support for Israel declines, especially among Democrats.
• Despite increasing US-Israeli military cooperation, public sympathy in the US is shifting toward Palestinians, with two-thirds of Democrats expressing support for Palestinians over Israelis, while Republicans remain largely pro-Israel but silent on recent settler violence.
• Analysts suggest pro-Israel Democrats are navigating a difficult political landscape, condemning settler violence to appease voters without alienating pro-Israel donors, while Aipac and the Trump administration have yet to clearly address or respond to the recent attacks.