QUSRA, West Bank — Palestinian American Loui Ridi confronted an Israeli settler who entered his property in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra on Tuesday, days after settlers began surrounding his home and two neighbouring Palestinian properties. Ridi had returned from the United States and raised a large American flag over his house, hoping it would help deter further intrusion.
- Home siege: Three Palestinian homes in Qusra have been surrounded by settlers for more than a week, according to the supplied Reuters report.
- Face-off: A settler entered Ridi’s property on Tuesday, prompting a tense confrontation that was filmed by Reuters.
- US flag: Ridi raised an American flag over his home, saying he hoped it would provide a measure of deterrence.
- US pressure: US officials have pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to publicly condemn the settlers’ actions.
Palestinian American Returns to Besieged Home
Ridi arrived in Qusra late Monday after travelling from the United States. He said he feared that continued pressure from settlers could eventually result in the loss of his property.
On Tuesday morning, Ridi was walking among the cherry and fig trees surrounding his home when a settler approached from a nearby hill. Reuters footage captured the encounter, during which both men filmed each other on their mobile phones.
The settler approached Ridi while apparently holding a Torah. The exchange quickly became tense, with the two men trading accusations as Israeli military personnel moved through the area.
Israeli Soldiers Intervene
An Israeli military vehicle passed the area several times before soldiers approached the settler. The soldiers told him that the location was a closed military area.
The settler told the soldiers that he would leave if the other people left the area, saying that several people were present to guard their territory.
He eventually moved away up the road and was later joined by two other settlers. The group then disappeared from view. The settler did not answer a Reuters question about what he was doing at Ridi’s property.
An Israeli soldier subsequently instructed Ridi to remain inside his home and said he would deal with the situation. Ridi told the soldiers that he believed the settler’s presence was illegal and should result in an arrest.
Why Ridi Raised the American Flag
After returning to Qusra, Ridi placed a large US flag above his property. He said the decision was intended to send a message and potentially discourage settlers from entering the home.
Ridi said he feared that if he could not protect the property and settlers eventually took control of it, they would raise their own flag. He wanted the American flag to remain visible before that could happen.
The move reflects the presence of a sizeable Palestinian American community in parts of the occupied West Bank, particularly in villages between Ramallah and Nablus.
Palestinian Americans Say Flags Offer Protection
Yaser Alkam, a 58-year-old spokesman for the Palestinian American community in the nearby village of Turmus Ayya, said American flags are displayed by some residents as a form of protection.
According to Alkam, the flags are intended to provide deterrence against both settlers and Israeli military forces while signalling to US authorities that American citizens live in the affected communities.
US officials have estimated that tens of thousands of Americans live in the occupied West Bank. In Turmus Ayya, located about 7 kilometres southwest of Qusra, local officials say roughly 80% of residents hold US citizenship.
Settler Violence Raises Security Concerns
The confrontation in Qusra comes amid broader concerns over violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The supplied Reuters report says rights groups have described the recent events as part of wider efforts by settlers to acquire additional Palestinian land.
Ridi’s neighbour Ibrahim Hassan said he was forced to leave his home the previous month after settlers accompanied by men wearing green military clothing allegedly damaged his house, entered the property and assaulted him.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment regarding Hassan’s account.
Israeli Military Says Forces Are Deployed
The Israeli military has said it has deployed forces in the area in an effort to control settler activity and maintain security for residents.
Despite the military presence, families whose homes have been surrounded remain afraid to leave, according to the supplied report. The situation has also created uncertainty over access to homes and movement around the affected properties.
The confrontation involving Ridi illustrates the difficulty faced by residents as military personnel, Palestinian families and settlers remain in close proximity around the homes.
US Ambassador Condemns Settlers
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers surrounding Ridi’s home, describing them as “Israeli terrorists.” Huckabee is also a strong supporter of Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
