Senators Booker and Goldman Urge President Biden to Press Israel to Crack Down on Violence by Israeli Settlers Against Palestinians in the West Bank

Two Democratic lawmakers have written to President Joe Biden to urge him to press Israel to crack down on violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. In a letter first obtained by NBC News, Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Dan Goldman of New York highlighted the threat that such violence poses to efforts to prevent the expansion of the conflict, Israel’s near-term security, Palestinian human rights, and long-term regional peace.

On Wednesday night, tensions over the conflict between Israel and Hamas boiled over into a demonstration outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C. U.S. Capitol Police reported that around 200 people were “illegally and violently protesting” at the scene. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting.

Goldman and Booker, who were in Israel during the October 7th Hamas attack, argued that violence by settlers undermines the Palestinian Authority, which they view as essential to achieving a lasting peace. They also noted that such violence has caused a spike in hate crimes against Palestinians, including arson, vandalism, and physical violence.

The letter concluded by urging the Biden administration to continue to press Israel to take steps to protect Palestinians from violence and to ensure that those responsible for such acts are held accountable. The lawmakers also asked the administration to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that it has the resources and support it needs to protect its citizens.