Israeli settlers are terrorizing Palestinian families in the West Bank, and this is a grim, personal account of what that looks like on the ground.

• Wally Rashid has family in a West Bank village who refuse to leave their land even under settler pressure, saying they would rather die than be driven out.
• A recent settler attack hit just over the hill from his family's village, and Israeli minister Smotrich has said surrounding villages will be leveled.
• Palestinians can't legally defend themselves, while armed settlers act freely — one of the deep imbalances driving the violence.
• U.S. groups, including synagogues and a new lobby called American Friends of Judea and Samaria, are legally raising money for drones, rifles, and bulldozers sent to settlers.
• The fear and defenselessness described here reframe October 7th and fuel a stronger belief in the right to armed self-defense.

Outlook: With settler attacks escalating and demolition threats hanging over these villages, families staying put face growing danger and little protection.