Louis Theroux’s New BBC Documentary “The Settlers” Sparks Intense Debate
Louis Theroux returns to the West Bank in his new BBC documentary The Settlers, revisiting the region 14 years after his previous work, The Ultra Zionists. This time, he adopts a more direct and confrontational approach, immersing himself in the lives of Israeli settlers while also documenting the struggles of Palestinians living under occupation.
Throughout the film, Theroux and his crew face tense and dangerous situations, including armed threats while visiting Palestinian homes. In a particularly striking moment, Theroux challenges prominent settler figure Daniella Weiss, calling her a “sociopath” during a heated exchange over violence against Palestinians.
One powerful scene shows Theroux taking refuge in a Palestinian home as Israeli soldiers search nearby. When he suggests calling the police, he is met with a bleak response: “Which police?”, underscoring the limited protection available to Palestinians in the region.
The Settlers has generated mixed reactions since its debut. While some viewers have accused the film of harboring bias or antisemitism, others have praised it for shedding light on a controversial and emotionally charged issue. The documentary has been compared to the BBC’s earlier piece Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was pulled following backlash.
First aired on BBC Two on April 27, the documentary is now available on BBC iPlayer. Although it hasn’t officially launched internationally, clips have already circulated widely across social media, fueling continued conversation around its themes.
