Residents of Turmus Ayya, a village in the West Bank with a significant population of dual American-Palestinian citizens, say they feel abandoned amid ongoing violence by Israeli settlers. Despite efforts by U.S. officials, including a recent visit by U.S. Ambassador Michael Huckabee, locals describe a persistent climate of intimidation and property damage, which they say remains largely unaddressed by Israeli authorities.

Since at least 2020, settler attacks in Turmus Ayya have escalated, ranging from vandalism and arson to physical assaults. Human rights organizations recorded dozens of incidents over recent years, with violence surging prior to and after October 7, 2023, a date that marks a shift in regional tensions. In June 2023, a large group of armed settlers reportedly stormed the village, setting homes on fire and prompting clashes that resulted in the death of a local resident, Omar Ketin.

Local council member Awad Abu Samra, who documents settler violence, describes near-daily provocations including theft, arson, and damage to olive groves—an economic staple in the area. He criticized Israeli security forces for insufficient enforcement, noting that while residents face rapid military responses for minor incidents such as stone-throwing, attacks by settlers often go unpunished.

Several American dual nationals living in Turmus Ayya tell of their U.S. citizenship offering little protection. Neurologist Hasnain Shukri, who resides primarily in New York but maintains property in the village, said Israeli soldiers entered his home without explanation last summer, briefly forcing his family to leave. Shukri expressed frustration that despite his American citizenship, he is not shielded from such incursions. Similarly, Abu Awad reported two break-ins and significant thefts at his farmhouse, noting indifference from Israeli authorities when he filed complaints.

Residents stress that their American passports do not guarantee safety or recognition, as Israeli officials view those holding Palestinian identity cards primarily as Palestinians, regardless of other citizenships. This creates a complex dynamic wherein U.S. citizens feel both abandoned by their government and constrained by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During Huckabee’s visit, the ambassador condemned settler violence but stopped short of advocating specific actions. He described the perpetrators as a "minority" and emphasized that the U.S. Embassy has no authority to investigate or prosecute, limiting its role to diplomatic pressure on Israeli officials. However, Turmus Ayya spokesperson Yasser Alqam, who has lived in the United States for decades, contested this characterization, stating that thousands of settlers are involved in ongoing acts of terror, not merely isolated extremists.

Alqam also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. policy, noting that past U.S. administrations have reversed measures intended to curb settler activities. He urged American policymakers to consider sanctions on products originating from settlements, which he contends are built on confiscated Palestinian land.

Amid growing frustration, Palestinian Americans in Turmus Ayya are increasingly politically engaged, mobilizing voter registration efforts ahead of U.S. elections. Alqam and others stress the importance of leveraging their U.S. citizenship to advocate for their rights and call for policy changes. They voiced concern over a polarized discourse in the United States regarding Israel and Palestine, warning that rising nationalism and intolerance could have broader social consequences.

For many in Turmus Ayya, the combination of ongoing settler attacks, limited protection by Israeli authorities, and a perceived lack of U.S. intervention has intensified a sense of vulnerability and abandonment, underscoring the complexity of their dual identities amid entrenched conflict.