Key facts
- Palestinian families in Qusra, West Bank, are facing property sieges and threats from Israeli settlers.
- Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American from Toledo, Ohio, traveled to his ancestral home to protect his family and property.
- US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers' actions as 'terrorist'.
- The conflict is increasingly visible in American communities, with protests and shifting public opinion.
- Arab American communities in Toledo are growing and engaging in political advocacy.
The conflict in the Middle East, particularly settler violence in the occupied West Bank, is increasingly impacting Palestinian American communities in the US, including Toledo, Ohio. Thamin Tim Ridi, a Palestinian American businessman from Toledo, is livestreaming from his office as his brother, Loui, defends their ancestral home in Qusra, West Bank, from besieged Israeli settlers. Loui Ridi traveled from Ohio to Qusra after his property was threatened, finding his family in fear and with dwindling supplies.
Settler actions in Qusra have included besieging Palestinian homes, preventing residents from leaving, and threatening property. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly condemned these actions, calling the settlers 'terrorists.' While the Trump administration has historically supported Israel, recent statements from Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump suggest a potential shift in tone.
For residents of Toledo, the conflict is no longer a distant headline. Decades of migration have established significant Palestinian American communities, and recent events have brought the conflict closer to home. Protests have occurred, and local resolutions calling for a ceasefire have been passed, reflecting a growing divergence between US government policy and public opinion. A Pew Research Center poll indicates a decline in favorable views of Israel among Americans.
Arab American communities, particularly in the Midwest, have grown due to economic opportunities. Toledo has a history of Arab immigration, with a significant population from Lebanon. These communities are actively involved in local business and philanthropy. Despite the broader geopolitical tensions, some inter-community dialogue, such as between Jewish and Arab Americans in Sylvania, Ohio, continues to flourish, emphasizing shared values of respect and dignity.