In letter to Trump, former Israeli security leaders urge intervention to stop settler terrorism

Occupied Jerusalem, July 27 (Petra) – Hundreds of former Israeli
security officials sent an urgent letter to US President Donald
Trump, urging him to personally intervene to stop terrorist attacks
by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, which could have
catastrophic consequences.

The letter came on the eve of a scheduled meeting tomorrow between
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on the
US president to intervene personally to pressure him to rein in
settler terrorism, Yediot Aharonot daily reported on Monday.

It was sent by the “Commanders for Israel’s Security”, a non-partisan
movement composed of roughly 600 retired high-ranking generals,
colonels and commanders from the military, the Shin Bet domestic
security agency, the Mossad intelligence service, the police and the
diplomatic corps.

“If the escalating violence in the West Bank is not stopped quickly
and decisively, it could ignite a regional crisis with severe
consequences for Israel’s security and US interests in the region,”
read the letter.

“Terrism is terrorism.. and you have the ability to prevent this
disaster. Therefore, we hope you will use your upcoming meeting with
our prime minister to deliver a strong and clear message on this
issue,” it added.

The letter warned that ongoing settler terrorism and the policy to
“strangle” the Palestinian Authority would destroy Israel’s security,
lead to the collapse of regional stability, and derail the political
processes being pursued by the US leader.

“It is no secret that members of our government are responsible for
much of this chaos, in part by granting occupiers immunity from the
law,” the letter said.

Among the signatories of the letter were former Mossad chief Danny
Yatom, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon, and the organization’s
current director, Major General Matan Vilnai, who previously served
as deputy chief of staff of the Israeli army and minister of home
front defense.

It was sent to the White House and other officials close to Trump,
including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve
Witkoff.

//Petra//SS