A Palestinian-American homeowner, Louai Abu Ridi, expressed profound fear for his safety as he returned to his property in the occupied West Bank, which has been under siege by Israeli settlers for over a week. He appealed for protection from the United States.
The house, located in Qusra near Nablus, is one of three properties whose residents have been effectively trapped and denied essential supplies since the settler blockade began more than a week ago. This situation has drawn widespread international condemnation. Abu Ridi's brother, Qusai Abu Ridi, remains inside the besieged home, documenting the conditions for the outside world.
Upon arriving at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, Louai Abu Ridi stated he had been monitoring the situation remotely and expressed his distress at the prospect of settlers seizing his home. "I can't let the settlers steal my house while I was watching," he told reporters, indicating his intention to stay at the property that night, a decision that left him "terrified."
Abu Ridi directly addressed U.S. officials and the embassy, requesting protection. He conveyed his anxiety for his brother and nephew, and now for his own safety, questioning whether he would be permitted free access to his own home upon arrival. He also voiced frustration with the Israeli military's apparent inability to remove the settlers, urging for concrete actions beyond mere condemnation.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has issued a strong critique of the incident, describing the actions of those involved as "disgusting" and indicative of an attempt to "intimidate and harass this family."
