U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee Condemns West Bank Settler Violence as ‘Act of Terror’

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee intensified his criticism of Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, labeling the incidents as acts of terror. During a visit to the village of Turmus Ayya, Huckabee engaged with Palestinian American residents who have been disrupted by a sustained campaign of attacks over the past year.

“If there are squatters that come in and put up their own flags and take possession of something that does not belong to them, if they burn a car, if they torch a mosque, if they go into someone’s home and vandalize it, paint graffiti on the walls, that’s a criminal act. But it extends beyond a criminal act. It’s an act of terror,” Huckabee stated.

The U.N. humanitarian office reports that such violence has escalated significantly since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, which was triggered by the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Huckabee addressed U.S. citizens living in Turmus Ayya and surrounding communities, noting that approximately 3 million Palestinians reside in the West Bank. He emphasized that many Americans in the region are unable to live peacefully due to what he described as unfair and illegal challenges created by settlers.

While clarifying that the U.S. Embassy cannot investigate criminal activity, Huckabee asserted that Washington can urge the Israeli government to address these issues. He stressed that specific crimes and acts of terror must be investigated and adjudicated, ensuring that every person receives the justice they are entitled to expect.

During the visit, Huckabee met with approximately ten Palestinian American residents. According to the local municipality, these residents detailed the impact of the violence on their lives and properties to the Associated Press.

This condemnation follows actions by Israeli leadership last week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the conduct of a “handful of rioters,” and the foreign ministry described the settlers’ behavior as a disgrace. However, Netanyahu’s administration, noted as the most ultranationalist and religious in Israel’s history, has overseen a surge in settlement construction.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war. These territories are claimed by Palestinians for a future state and are considered illegally occupied by the U.N. and much of the international community. To date, Israel has established nearly 150 settlements housing over 500,000 Jewish settlers, many of which resemble developed suburbs.

Although the Israeli military operates throughout the West Bank, human rights organizations have accused it of frequently ignoring settler violence. As Israeli citizens, settlers are subject to Israeli civil law. Recently, Israel’s defense minister announced plans to fully transfer law enforcement responsibilities among settlers to the Israeli police.