Fourteen years after his first visit to the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine, Theroux returns to find deeper hostility, quiet government support, and a growing security crisis.
Louis Theroux returns to the BBC after 15 years with his new documentary, Louis Theroux: The Settlers. With renewed interest in his work, many are now searching for his 2011 West Bank film, “Louis Theroux, Ultra Zionists.” It’s available on BBC iPlayer, and viewers outside the UK can watch it using a VPN. Check out our guide on the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer now!
Watching Louis Theroux’s growth as a documentary maker has been fascinating. In the 1990s, he was known for his knowing glances at the camera, using a mix of charm and deliberate awkwardness to win over his subjects. Most of the time, these were not serious figures — but even when they were, he often highlighted their absurdity. Back then, groups like white supremacists or Christian nationalists were largely treated as targets for mockery.
Those lighter, more playful days are long gone. Theroux has grown older and wiser, and for some time now, he has been tackling much heavier subjects. He first visited Israeli settlers in the Palestinian West Bank in 2011, and even then, the situation left little room for humor.
In BBC Two’s Louis Theroux: The Settlers, his return to the region reveals an even harsher reality. Over a decade ago, the settlers he met seemed like fringe figures. His original documentary, Ultra Zionists, made that clear. Today, however, those once-marginalized groups have moved into the political mainstream. Israel’s current minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, even appears in the new film, energizing a crowd from a stage. In the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the influence of these settlers is more visible than ever.
“Welcome to Judea,” says settler Ari Abramowitz as Theroux arrives at his home. Abramowitz lives in a settlement that is illegal under international law — he is heavily armed, and these settlements (essentially residential expansions into Palestinian territory) are protected by the Israeli army, despite the legal violations. What unfolds is a mindset built on self-reinforcing beliefs. When Theroux asks where the nearest Palestinian town is, Abramowitz responds, “I’m so uncomfortable using that word,” objecting to the term “Palestinian.” He adds, “I don’t think they exist as a real nation, with a real claim to this land.”
Abramowitz views himself as “the tip of the spear… defending the entire Western world.” He believes the land is rightfully Israel’s, citing the Bible — a document that, as Theroux notes, settlers essentially treat as a land deed — as his proof. Interestingly, Abramowitz originally comes from Texas.
This stubbornness eventually creates a narrative challenge for the documentary. Everywhere Theroux turns, he runs into the same firm resistance: “The land is ours. Palestine doesn’t exist. It’s not a matter for debate.” As a result, the film isn’t filled with a series of new discoveries but rather builds a growing sense of frustration, as the same arguments are repeated over and over like a ritual. In a way, the rigidity itself becomes the message.
Still, even unintentionally, the documentary sheds light on several important issues. Daniella Weiss, the 79-year-old often called the “godmother” of the settler movement, is very open about her relationship with the Israeli government. “Netanyahu … is very happy about what we do here. But he cannot say it,” she admits. In doing so, she essentially confirms the existence of a government-backed agenda that openly defies the Geneva Conventions.
Sadly, the world doesn’t seem interested in stepping in. Theroux’s underlying message is moderate and clear: he supports a two-state solution and asks settlers if they ever consider that the fear they feel might be shared by Palestinians. Again, he meets a wall of indifference — their disregard for Palestinian civilians is as strong as their contempt for international law.
This often shows in small but cruel ways. A group of Palestinians picking olives is harassed by heavily armed IDF soldiers. Theroux meets Issa, a Palestinian man who guides him through Hebron — a maze of checkpoints, closed shops, and constant military surveillance. The strategy is clear: make daily life so unbearable that Palestinians leave out of desperation — and many already have.
Later, at a West Bank checkpoint, a soldier asks Theroux how long he plans to stay in Israel — a slip that suggests Israel sees the West Bank as fully theirs. Capturing these accidental truths remains Theroux’s great strength; people feel unthreatened and open up around him.
Early in his career, Theroux used this gift for lighter topics. Now, he brings seriousness and even physical courage. While some criticize him for giving a platform to extremists, he doesn’t let anyone off the hook — and confronting uncomfortable subjects has always been his method.
In a situation that feels like a tragic loop, documentary makers must still find a way to tell the story. Familiar as his style may be, Louis Theroux continues to grow.
Source: The Independent