American dual citizens living in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya report feeling abandoned amid escalating violence linked to Israeli settler attacks, despite recent engagement from U.S. officials. During a visit to the area, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee acknowledged the violence as “terror” but stopped short of advocating for direct U.S. intervention, describing the perpetrators as a “minority” while emphasizing the U.S. Embassy’s limited ability to address the issue beyond diplomatic pressure on Israeli authorities.

Turmus Ayya has seen a surge in settler violence, including arson, theft, and property destruction, according to local Palestinian officials. Awad Abu Samra, a municipal council member who tracks these incidents, described nearly daily provocations, such as homes being looted and olive trees cut down. Although the Israeli military and police are notified, locals say enforcement has been inadequate. Abu Samra said law enforcement encourages Palestinians to file complaints, but perpetrators often face no consequences.

The situation particularly affects Palestinian-Americans who hold both U.S. and Palestinian identification documents. Residents say Israeli authorities do not recognize foreign citizenship if individuals carry a Palestinian identification card, leaving their American nationality effectively unacknowledged once they enter Israel or the West Bank. Wadi Alqam Abu Awad, a civil engineer living between Arkansas and Turmus Ayya, expressed frustration over the limited protections afforded by his U.S. citizenship. He recounted how settlers repeatedly broke into his farmhouse, stole property, and used graffiti with slogans such as “Revenge” and “Price Tag” to intimidate residents.

Similarly, neurologist Hasnas Shukri, who resides in New York but was visiting Turmus Ayya, described Israeli soldiers entering his home without explanation and ordering the family to leave with little notice. He noted ongoing military intrusions at his property, all conducted without formal justification. Shukri stressed the disconnect between his integration into American society and the treatment he receives on the ground in the West Bank.

Local residents trace the rise in settler violence not only to events following October 7 but also to earlier incidents, including a large-scale settler attack in June 2023, when hundreds of armed settlers entered Turmus Ayya, setting fires and clashing with security forces. Human rights groups have documented numerous attacks in the area over recent years, highlighting patterns of vandalism, arson, and harassment, with a notable peak in 2022.

Yasser Alqam, Turmus Ayya’s spokesperson and a longtime U.S. resident who returned recently, disputed claims that settler violence is limited to isolated individuals. He described the phenomenon as widespread, involving thousands of actors across the West Bank. Alqam also criticized what he called selective enforcement by Israeli authorities and accused American administrations of failing to hold settlers accountable consistently, referencing the rollback of sanctions on settlements implemented during the previous U.S. administration.

During Huckabee’s visit, Alqam handed him detailed documentation of attacks dating back several years, emphasizing that many American citizens in the town feel neglected by their government. Despite some recognition by U.S. officials labeling settler violence as terrorism, locals contend that these efforts have yet to translate into meaningful change on the ground.

Tensions have been further exacerbated by political discourse and actions that some Palestinian-Americans perceive as aligned with Israeli right-wing positions. Following Huckabee’s trip, critics highlighted his opposition to U.K. trade restrictions on settlements and questioned the loyalty of U.S. officials they said act more as representatives of Israel than the United States.

Nevertheless, Palestinian-Americans in Turmus Ayya and beyond are becoming more politically active, with voter registration and mobilization efforts gaining momentum ahead of U.S. elections. Alqam emphasized the importance of political engagement, stating that despite years of marginalization, Palestinians who hold U.S. citizenship intend to assert their voices and advocate for change.

For many, the ongoing violence and lack of protective measures underscore a broader challenge of identity, security, and belonging amid a complex and volatile political landscape. As Shukri reflected, growing polarization and rising discrimination in the United States pose additional concerns for future generations of Palestinian-Americans caught between these intersecting realities.