Former Israeli officials warn Trump settler violence could harm Israel more than Oct 7 attacks

Around 600 senior former Israeli security, military and diplomatic figures—including ex‑prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak—sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump on the eve of his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The signatories warned that escalating settler terrorism in the West Bank threatens Israel’s security and international standing more than the Oct 7 Hamas attacks.

The letter, also copied to White House officials such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, urged Trump to use his influence to press Netanyahu to curb extremist settler activity. It warned that unchecked violence could weaken internal deterrence, fuel long‑term instability in the occupied territories, and increase Israel’s diplomatic isolation.