West Bank Update: Escalations of Violence and Terror
April 9th
1:00–2:15 PM EST | 8:00–9:15 PM Jerusalem

Right now, across the West Bank, families are living under constant threat - settler violence, intimidation, and persistent efforts to force them from their land. And yet, much of what is happening remains unseen.

Just days ago, CfP leader Jamil visited Qusra and described what he witnessed:

“Protection in the Jordan Valley is not a choice; it is a necessity. A few days ago, I was traveling to the village of Qusra in the north near Nablus. As I was taking in the natural beauty there, I felt that a cancer had corrupted the stunning landscape of hills, deserts, and plains of the Palestinian lands...On every hill, there is a settler who has seized the land and set up a caravan, and no one holds this usurper accountable, no courts, no police, no army." 

This is the reality people are living in, every single day. And still, communities continue to show up—for one another, for nonviolence, and for a different future. On April 9, 2026, we gathered to hear directly from those working on the ground:

Mai Shahin: a therapist and peace activist based near East Jerusalem, specializing in nonviolence and trauma healing

Mahmoud Odeh: a peace activist, father, and active community member. He has lost many family members to settler violence and continues to seek nonviolent activism to push back against the occupation.  

Iris Gur: Israeli educator turned human rights activist engaged in joint resistance work

Sharona Weiss: a photographer and human rights advocate leading international advocacy efforts

The conversation was moderated by Jessica Naef, an activist and organizer with European Friends of Combatants for Peace.