Rising violence in the West Bank

Background: In the midst of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, settler violence, Israeli military bombings and displacement continue to increase in the West Bank. On January 21, days after the Gaza ceasefire was announced, Israel launched an offensive in the northern part of the West Bank which included airstrikes. The offensive has displaced over 45,000 Palestinians from refugee camps, exceeding any other displacement since the 1967 War. A few days later, under the protection of the Israeli military, settlers were able to rampage through surrounding towns in the area of the Israeli military offensive.

Since the January 19 Gaza ceasefire agreement, increased Israeli military and settler violence has killed at least 44 Palestinians, caused widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure (roads and commercial buildings), and has increasingly targeted medical services. Additionally, the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank has been further restricted.

This is a critical moment to urge the U.S. Congress and the Trump administration to:

• Return to pressuring Israel to stop settler violence and illegal settlements on Palestinian land.
• Increase humanitarian assistance to the region rather than halting it.
• Push for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
• Fully fund UNRWA and press Israel to allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Faith reflection: Psalm 27:5 – “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.”

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Photo above: A section of the Israeli separation barrier near Jerusalem. The wall separates Israeli settlements from Palestinian villages. Its placement here has cut off a main road that used to be a major artery and has severely affected the local economy. Many of the shops and homes in the area have been abandoned. (MCC photo/Elizabeth Kessler)