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// DOSSIER — palestinian-american-defend-west-bank-home-settler-siege
Palestinian-American Returns from Ohio to Defend West Bank Home Under Settler Siege
REL_TIME: 25 Aug 2026 10:42Z · LANG: EN
Louai Abu Ridi, a Palestinian-American businessman living in Ohio, returned to his ancestral town of Qusra in the occupied West Bank to defend his family home from an ongoing siege by Israeli settlers. The siege began on August 9, 2026, when armed settlers surrounded the property and set up tents to force the residents out. After monitoring the harassment live via security cameras, Abu Ridi flew to the West Bank on August 17, 2026, to support his family and raised a giant American flag over the property to deter attackers and signal US officials. Although US Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the siege as a horrific act of terror, Abu Ridi criticized the Israeli military, accusing soldiers of siding with the settlers and restricting aid deliveries under a declared closed military zone.
// Background
Settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have risen sharply since October 2023. According to UN data, more than 6,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced due to settler attacks since January 2023. In nearby Jalud, the al-Tubasi family was recently forced out of their home at gunpoint after a five-day siege, after which settlers took over the property.
// Key Developments
- Palestinian-American Louai Abu Ridi returned to Qusra, West Bank, on August 17, 2026, to protect his home from a settler siege.
- Settlers began besieging the property on August 9, 2026, setting up tents and restricting movement.
- Abu Ridi raised a giant American flag over his home to deter settlers and appeal to US officials.
- US Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the settler siege, calling it a horrific act of terror.
- Abu Ridi accused the Israeli military of siding with the settlers and failing to clear them despite declaring a closed military zone.
- UNICEF delivered emergency food, water, and medicine to the besieged residents over the weekend.
// Timeline
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Settlers begin repeatedly attacking Abu Ridi's property and harassing his brother.
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A group of approximately 15 settlers throw rocks at Abu Ridi's brother inside the house.
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Settlers set up tents and begin a formal siege of Abu Ridi's home in Qusra.
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Abu Ridi flies from Ohio to the West Bank to join his family and defend the home.
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Abu Ridi confronts an Israeli settler who trespassed onto his property despite the giant American flag.
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UNICEF delivers food, water, and medicine to the besieged residents under the closed military zone restriction.
// Perspectives
[Louai Abu Ridi]
Determined to defend his ancestral home at all costs, while criticizing the Israeli military's complicity and calling for active protection from US officials.
[Israeli Military (IDF)]
Declared the area a closed military zone to prevent clashes, but accused by residents of siding with settlers, celebrating with them, and restricting aid to Palestinians.
[US Ambassador Mike Huckabee]
Condemned the settler siege, calling it a horrific act of terror and labeling the settlers as terrorists.
// Quotes
“I came here to be present with him. I left my luxury home in America. I left my luxury vehicles in America. I left my wife, my two daughters. I left my business and decided to be here at my home to protect it from the settlers to steal it, and raising the American flag to send the message to the American Embassy and the U.S. officials that I am currently under siege and I need a protection.”
“It is a nightmare. We can’t sleep at night. We have to keep watch. Are they gonna come attack us? This is what’s been going on for months now.”
