Former Israeli Security Chiefs Urge Trump to Act Against Settler Violence Ahead of Netanyahu Visit

Around 600 former senior officials from the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Foreign Ministry have sent an urgent letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, warning against what they describe as "Jewish settler terror" in the West Bank. The letter, sent on Sunday evening just before Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls on Trump to personally intervene and pressure Israel to halt the violence, which they fear could lead to consequences even more catastrophic than Hamas's attacks on October 7.

The group, known as "Commanders for Israel's Security," stresses that only Trump can prevent this looming disaster and urges him to deliver a firm message during his upcoming meeting with Netanyahu. They argue that ongoing settler violence, combined with policies aimed at economically and otherwise suffocating the Palestinian Authority, threatens Israel's security, regional stability, and the diplomatic progress Trump has championed, including his 20-point plan for Gaza and the expansion of the Abraham Accords.

The letter directly accuses certain members of Netanyahu's government of orchestrating much of the chaos by protecting armed, messianic settler supporters and obstructing effective law enforcement. It highlights incidents such as arson attacks on vehicles, homes, and mosques in the West Bank. The signatories note the dilemma faced by current Israeli security officials between enforcing the law decisively and following political directives.

While Israeli security agencies are effective against Hamas and Palestinian terror groups, the letter states their ability to combat Jewish settler terrorism is severely limited. The organization represents a large body of retired senior military and intelligence figures who support a security separation from Palestinians and advancing a two-state solution within a regional framework.

The letter was also sent to White House officials including Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Whitlock. The former heads of Mossad, Danny Yatom, and Shin Bet, Ami Ayalon, are among the signatories. Netanyahu is expected to fly to Washington today for his meeting with Trump tomorrow.