U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee delivered a sharp condemnation of violent Israeli settlers during a visit to the West Bank town of Turmusayya, describing attacks against local residents as an “act of terror” and saying those responsible constituted a “band of terrorists” engaged in “criminal activity.”
Huckabee said his visit was intended in part to show support for U.S. citizens “who live in Turmusayya and other communities across this region” and who are “disturbed by people who have created extraordinary challenges that are unfair and illegal.”
The ambassador acknowledged that his use of the term terrorism to describe the violence has drawn criticism. Nevertheless, he defended the characterization during remarks at Turmusayya Town Hall, saying the actions fit the definition of terrorism and referring to the perpetrators as a “band of terrorists” involved in “criminal activity.”
“It’s important that we continue to put the pressure to say letting a few people do these horrible activities of criminal nature is detrimental…to everyone, Israeli, Palestinian alike,” he said.
Huckabee’s remarks were not the first time he has used the term “terrorists” to describe Israelis accused of carrying out violent attacks against Palestinians. In August, he condemned an attack on the West Bank village of Qusra, where the home of a Palestinian American was among the locations targeted.
According to Huckabee, those responsible for that incident burned a mosque and left graffiti on a wall reading, “Huckabee, this is from the terrorist.”
The ambassador’s repeated condemnations represent a forceful response from the Trump administration to violence attributed to Israeli settlers. President Donald Trump previously rescinded sanctions that the Biden administration had imposed against Israelis accused of violent activity in the West Bank.
“I’m glad they admitted it,” Huckabee said today, referring to the graffiti in which the perpetrators used the word terrorist to describe themselves. “I don’t think that’s what they intended to do, but I do think that they represent a very tiny minority.”
The State Department has also denounced the violence. A department spokesperson said last week that the U.S. position remains consistent with the Trump administration’s broader objective of pursuing peace in the region.
{Matzav.com}
