Loui Ridi Returns to West Bank Home Besieged by Israeli Settlers for Over a Week
Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American landlord, returned to his home in the village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank on Monday. The property has been besieged by Israeli settlers for over a week, preventing residents from leaving and cutting off basic supplies. Ridi, who watched the standoff from the U.S., finally reunited with his family members who remained inside to protect the property. While the United States and several European nations have condemned the siege, the Israeli military has deployed troops to maintain order. However, critics note that soldiers often appear to collaborate with the settlers rather than restraining them. The siege comes amid a long-term pattern of settler activity in the West Bank, where settlers are increasingly seizing land and homes. The administration announced a plan for the military to prepare for transferring civilian law enforcement to the police, though critics warn this could lead to further de facto annexation of the territory. Meanwhile, the administration also pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly denounce the settler violence.