Vulnerable People Project calls for U.S. action after attacks on an American citizen, an international activist and a Palestinian worker
NEWS PROVIDED BY
The Vulnerable People Project
Oct. 15, 2026
WEST BANK, Oct. 15, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — The Vulnerable People Project (VPP) is calling for U.S. action after reporting that Israeli settlers beat an American citizen while he tended his family’s olive trees in Burqa, east of Ramallah, on Thursday. The assault on Palestinian-American Haitham Taysir is among a series of radical Jewish settler attacks on civilians documented by VPP across the West Bank this week.
According to VPP’s reporting, Taysir, a United States citizen, was assaulted while working in his family’s olive groves. The attack follows repeated violence against Palestinian harvesters during this year’s olive harvest.
“Every American public official should be speaking out against this,” said Jason Jones, president and founder of the Vulnerable People Project. “It’s an international incident for an American citizen to be beaten by settlers while harvesting his family’s olives. The U.S. government must demand accountability for the attack and protection for the people facing this violence every day. Palestinian families should not have to risk their lives to remain on their land.”
VPP also reported that settlers attacked the home of Nayef Ka’abneh, east of Taybeh, on Tuesday evening, injuring an international solidarity activist who was present. Taybeh is the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank. The Ka’abneh community had previously been attacked on Sept. 28, when homes were damaged and 3,000 shekels were taken, according to VPP.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces shot Palestinian worker Mohammad Samhan in the head with a rubber-coated steel bullet as he returned home from work near the entrance of Kharbatha Ein Ayoub, west of Ramallah, VPP reported. He was hospitalized with a concussion.
The same day, municipal authorities issued demolition notices against three multi-story residential buildings in Anata following complaints lodged by members of the violent settler movement, according to VPP’s reporting.
VPP warned that attacks on farmers, families, and those accompanying them, together with threats of home demolition, are placing mounting pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their homes and lands. The organization is urging U.S. officials to seek a prompt investigation into the assault on Taysir, press for accountability for attacks on civilians, and demand effective protection for farmers during the olive harvest.
VPP continues to monitor and document threats to vulnerable communities across the West Bank. For more information about its work and how to support it, visit SaveWestBankChristians.com.
PRESS CONTACT:
Stephen Herreid
Stephen@TheGreatCampaign.org | 603-262-0829
ABOUT JASON JONES AND THE VULNERABLE PEOPLE PROJECT:
Jason Jones is a filmmaker, author and human rights advocate, and the president and founder of the Vulnerable People Project. VPP defends vulnerable people from violence by promoting human dignity and inspiring solidarity.
SOURCE The Vulnerable People Project