The United States condemned the killing of a Palestinian by two suspected Jewish settlers, describing the incident as terrorism. This strong language reflects Washington's apparent frustration with the increasing violence in the West Bank under the far-right Israeli government. Israeli police arrested the settlers in connection with the incident, which occurred on Friday near the village of Burqa, east of Ramallah. Palestinians reported that the two were part of a group that threw stones and set vehicles on fire, and when village residents confronted the group, they opened fire, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old and injuries to others.
Initial investigations by the Israeli military characterized the incident as an escalation that resulted in injuries on both sides. A defense attorney stated that the settlers acted in self-defense. One of the settlers did not attend the court session due to a head injury. The Israeli prosecution charged the settlers in a court document obtained by Haaretz with committing "premeditated murder or negligent murder" motivated by racial bias.
The US State Department, in a statement released late Saturday night, said, "We strongly condemn the terrorist attack carried out by extremist Israeli settlers yesterday that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old Palestinian," and called for "accountability and full justice."
As Palestinian attacks using weapons, stones, or Molotov cocktails against Israeli settlements have increased, settlers have repeatedly attacked villages in the West Bank, causing significant property damage. Among the victims have been Palestinians holding both American and Palestinian citizenship. The US State Department's statement regarding the attack in the village of Burqa followed closely after another statement condemning a Palestinian attack that led to the death of a police officer in Tel Aviv, which was also described as a terrorist attack.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated on social media that the Palestinians throwing stones in the village of Burqa "attempted to kill Jews" and that an investigation into them is expected to be initiated. The West Bank is one of the areas that Palestinians seek for their future state. Negotiations with Israel, mediated by the United States to achieve this goal, have stalled for nearly a decade, leading to increases in extremism on both sides. Israeli army radio reported that the number of attacks by settlers or their supporters against Palestinians in the West Bank has doubled this year compared to last year.
Opposition member Benny Gantz, who previously served as defense minister, stated on X: "We are facing the rise of dangerous Jewish national terrorism." He added, "Whatever happened in Burqa adds to a large number of incidents that forced our security forces to pursue Israelis instead of protecting them."
