600 Former Israeli Officials Urge Trump to Halt Settler Violence

Nearly 600 former Israeli military, intelligence and diplomatic officials have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene against what they described as “acts of terrorism by Jewish settlers” in the occupied West Bank.

The appeal was delivered in a letter from members of Commanders for Israel’s Security to the White House ahead of Trump’s expected meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The signatories warned that escalating violence could trigger a wider regional crisis, endanger Israeli security, harm U.S. interests and obstruct Washington-backed diplomatic initiatives.

They also linked settler attacks to policies they said were weakening the Palestinian Authority economically and politically. According to the letter, continuing along this path could undermine Trump’s Gaza plan and complicate efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.

The former officials accused members of Netanyahu’s government of providing political protection to armed extremist settlers, arguing that such support prevents effective law enforcement and accountability.

They said Israeli security agencies possess extensive capabilities to confront Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups but face significant restrictions when dealing with what the letter termed “Jewish terrorism.”

The incidents cited included the burning of Palestinian homes, vehicles and a mosque in the West Bank, amid warnings that the absence of accountability could encourage further escalation.

Prominent signatories included former Mossad director Danny Yatom, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon and retired Major General Matan Vilnai, chairman of Commanders for Israel’s Security.

The group concluded by urging Trump not to treat its warning as hypothetical and called on him to deliver a