Israeli ex-generals urge Trump to push Netanyahu on 'settler terror'

A group of nearly 600 former Israeli military, diplomatic, and intelligence officials has appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene in the escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The former officials expressed grave concerns that unchecked settler actions pose a significant threat to Israel's future security and regional stability.

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Unless arrested swiftly and decisively, escalating violence in the West Bank is poised to ignite the region and carries severe ramifications for both Israeli security and U.S. regional interests.

In a letter addressed to Trump, the officials stated, "Unless arrested swiftly and decisively, escalating violence in the West Bank is poised to ignite the region and carries severe ramifications for both Israeli security and U.S. regional interests." They emphasized their "professional judgment that no one but you, Mr. President, can avert this calamity." The appeal highlights the deep divisions within Israel's security establishment regarding the handling of settler violence.

The lobby group behind the letter, Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), comprises retired colonels and generals from the Israeli army, as well as former high-ranking members of Mossad, Shin Bet, and the foreign service. CIS stated that it is "no secret" that some government members allegedly "orchestrate much of this chaos" by protecting settlers and Israeli forces from legal scrutiny. The group warned that the surge in settler violence could have consequences more catastrophic than the October 7 Hamas attack.

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It is our professional judgment that no one but you, Mr. President, can avert this calamity.

The appeal comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between Netanyahu and Trump in Washington. The former officials implored Trump to raise the issue directly with Netanyahu during their discussion. This intervention request underscores the perceived urgency and severity of the situation, with the signatories believing that only Trump possesses the leverage to influence Netanyahu's approach to settler violence.

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It is no secret that certain government members orchestrate much of this chaos, including by protecting settlers and Israeli forces from the scrutiny of the law.