The owner arrived at his home in Qusra - and raised the US flag: "The priority - being with my family"

Louis Abu Ridi, an American citizen of Palestinian origin, returned to his home in Qusra after a week of settler siege, and raised the US flag above the structure. He said his family's property was taken and that he is in contact with the US embassy to lift the siege. The move sparked reactions online.

Louis Abu Ridi, an American citizen of Palestinian origin residing in Ohio, returned this week to his home in the Ras al-Ein area of the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, after his home had been under a settler siege for days. Upon his arrival, he raised the US flag above the structure, a step that drew many reactions on social media. Abu Ridi was in the US and watched the events for a week via security cameras around his home, until he decided to return himself. He said that the settlers surrounded the building and that his family's property was taken, and that he is in contact with the US embassy and American officials in order to bring about the lifting of the siege on his home and other homes of his family members. The flag-raising became an image circulated on networks, and activists saw it as a direct message to the American administration, while questioning whether Washington would act to protect an American citizen under siege. Alongside this, the possibility was raised that the move would increase tension in the area and provoke a provocation between settlers and Palestinians.

The owner arrived at his home in Qusra - and raised the US flag: "The priority - being with my family"