Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) is condemning the recent violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank against Palestinians, saying, "These attacks deserve clear condemnation as acts of terrorism."
According to the BBC, the violence began after an 18-year-old settler named Yehuda Sherman was struck and killed by a car driven by a Palestinian. It's currently unknown if Sherman's death was an accident or intentional. Nevertheless, other settlers coordinated a campaign to retaliate, with acts of assault, arson, and other violence occurring over the weekend.
Israeli center-left politician Yair Golan is accusing the government of allowing the violence to happen, saying, "While we are fighting in Iran and on the northern border, under missile attacks and with many seriously wounded, this government is encouraging total anarchy."
Rep. Stanton did not accuse the Israeli government of encouraging the violence, commenting, "This past weekend, extremist Israeli settlers carried out coordinated, violent attacks against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank."
"These attacks deserve clear condemnation as acts of terrorism, and I strongly condemn them as such," he added. "Those responsible must be held fully accountable, because without real consequences, this pattern of violence will continue."
The Arizona congressman emphasized that "the Israeli government has a responsibility to stop these attacks and ensure they do not happen again, because settler violence undermines Israel's national security and pushes a negotiated two-state solution further out of reach. Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve a future defined by peace and security."
In October, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) joined in reminding President Donald Trump not to let Israel annex the West Bank as part of the ceasefire deal reached between the Jewish State and Hamas, saying, "Since your plan for Gaza does not address the West Bank, it is imperative that your Administration reinforce your comments and emphasize its opposition to annexation."
