WASHINGTON / PNN /

In a letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, more than 100 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress expressed “grave concern that any further actions by settlers, vigilantes, or the government to destroy the village of Umm al-Kheir would traumatize this peaceful community and jeopardize the prospect of long-term peace.”

The letter, spearheaded by Reps. Jamie Raskin, Jerrold Nadler, Jim Himes, Sara Jacobs, and Dan Goldman, urged the Israeli government to immediately halt its plans to demolish several structures in the southern West Bank village of Umm al-Kheir, including private homes and a community center.

Watch PNN’s report on Israel’s threat to demolish a children’s playground in Umm al-Kheir.

Earlier this week, Israel’s Civil Administration issued demolition notices for homes in the long-established Palestinian village, reactivating decades-old orders. The move came as the Israeli army faced court scrutiny for failing to enforce rulings related to an illegal settler outpost built near the community.

According to the notices, residents of Umm al-Kheir — a Palestinian village that has existed for decades — have only two weeks to appeal the demolition orders.

The notices were delivered last Tuesday, the same day the Jerusalem District Court summoned senior Israeli military officials to explain their failure to prevent settlers from moving into the illegal outpost and halting new construction there.

J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami said in a statement that “this letter could not be more important,” adding that he has “visited the village of Umm al-Kheir many times and witnessed firsthand the impact of Israeli settler violence and the destructive bureaucracy of the occupation on this community.”

Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of New Jewish Narrative, praised the congressional action, saying, “The Israeli government has allowed radical settlers to dictate its West Bank policies, leading to a sharp rise in settler attacks on Palestinians, a lack of law enforcement against such violence, and the growing displacement of Palestinians from their homes.”

“We cannot remain silent about Israeli policies that push Palestinians off their land,” Susskind added. “You cannot tolerate settler violence, demolish homes, and displace people, then expect continued support from the United States. 

He end his words by saying:”Prime Minister Netanyahu must take this warning seriously.”