Key facts
- Louai Abu Ridi, a Palestinian-American, returned to his home in Qusra, West Bank, to defend it from Israeli settlers.
- Settlers had surrounded Abu Ridi's house, preventing entry and exit, and raising fears of a takeover.
- Abu Ridi claims the Israeli army, present in the area, has sided with the settlers.
- He contacted US officials, including the US embassy and his congresswoman, for assistance.
- Abu Ridi is providing shelter to another family displaced by settler attacks.
Louai Abu Ridi, a Palestinian-American living in Ohio, has returned to his ancestral home in the occupied West Bank town of Qusra to defend it against Israeli settlers who have been harassing his family and besieging the property. Abu Ridi had been monitoring the escalating attacks via security cameras from thousands of kilometers away, but felt compelled to intervene directly when appeals to US officials and local police yielded no results.
Settlers began attacking Abu Ridi's home in January, nearly three years after construction began. The harassment intensified on August 9 when settlers surrounded the house, set up tents, and prevented entry and exit, mirroring tactics used in other Palestinian communities. Abu Ridi expressed frustration with the lack of effective action from authorities, including the Israeli army, which he claims has sided with the settlers, conducting prayers with them and effectively enforcing the siege.
Despite the risks and the difficulty of leaving his wife and daughters behind in Ohio, Abu Ridi arrived in Qusra on August 17. He is now inside the besieged house with his mother, brother, and sister, determined to protect it and provide support. He is also sheltering another family whose home was similarly targeted by settlers. Abu Ridi stated he will not leave until the property is safe from being taken over.