1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I demand immediate and decisive action to protect Loui Ridi, a U.S. citizen from Ohio, and his family from Israeli settlers terrorizing and attempting to seize their home in Qusra in the occupied West Bank. Ridi returned to his family home after Israeli settlers surrounded it, cut access to basic necessities, and terrorized his relatives. He has raised an American flag over his house and repeatedly appealed to the U.S. government for protection. Yet settlers remain nearby, continue to harass him and enter his property, while Israeli forces have restricted his movement instead of arresting those threatening his family. This cannot be answered with statements of concern. Even U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has called the perpetrators “Israeli terrorists” and described the siege as an act of terror. If our own government recognizes what is happening, there is no excuse for allowing it to continue. I demand Congress immediately: Force the State Department and U.S. Embassy to secure Ridi and his family’s safety, freedom of movement, access to food, water, electricity and their property. Demand the permanent removal of the settlers surrounding and threatening these homes—not temporary relocation while they wait to return. Demand arrests, prosecution and accountability for those responsible for the siege, threats, trespassing, assaults and attempted land seizure. Impose and expand U.S. sanctions against violent settlers, settler organizations and officials who finance, arm, protect or enable them. Investigate the role of Israeli soldiers and police in enabling or protecting settler attacks and land seizures. Suspend U.S. military assistance to Israeli units or institutions involved in or enabling these abuses, and enforce all applicable human-rights restrictions on U.S. assistance. Make clear that U.S. taxpayer dollars and weapons will not support the violent displacement of Palestinians or the theft of Palestinian land. And this cannot stop with Loui Ridi simply because he carries an American passport. Palestinians without U.S. citizenship are entitled to the same protection from violence, forced displacement and land theft. Congress supplies Israel with billions of dollars in weapons and support and therefore has enormous leverage. Use it. An American citizen is publicly pleading for protection while armed settlers attempt to drive his family from their land. Condemnation without consequences is complicity. Protect Loui Ridi. Remove and prosecute the settlers terrorizing Qusra. Sanction those responsible. End U.S. support for the forces enabling settler violence and dispossession. Act now.