US Ambassador Condemns Violent Israeli Settler Actions in West Bank as ‘Terror’

JERUSALEM, Sep 06 — The United States ambassador to Israel has strongly condemned the escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, labelling such actions as an “act of terror.” The remarks were made during a visit to Palestinian American residents who have been subjected to months of attacks in the region.

Information was available with The Chenab Times that Ambassador Mike Huckabee used the term “terrorists” to describe settlers engaging in violent acts, a designation typically reserved by U.S. officials for Palestinian militants. This strong condemnation signals a significant shift in rhetoric from a high-ranking U.S. diplomat regarding settler behaviour.

During his visit to the village of Turmus Ayya, which has experienced frequent settler attacks over the past year, Ambassador Huckabee stated, “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.”

These attacks have seen a marked increase since the commencement of the war in Gaza, following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to data from the United Nations humanitarian office. The surge in violence has heightened concerns for the safety and security of Palestinian residents, including those with American citizenship.

Ambassador Huckabee had previously employed the term “terrorists” last month amidst unrest in the West Bank town of Qusra. In that instance, settlers had surrounded several homes, including one belonging to a Palestinian American. Following the events in Qusra, residents of the West Bank village of Bazariya reported that settlers had set fire to a mosque and left graffiti on a wall that read, “Huckabee regards from the terrorists” in Hebrew.

Addressing the graffiti incident, the ambassador remarked on Saturday, “I’m glad they admitted it.” He added, “I don’t think that’s what they intended to do, but I do think that they represent a very tiny minority.” This suggests a recognition that while the actions are reprehensible, they may not reflect the views of the majority of Israeli society.

Prior to the ambassador’s latest remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had condemned the actions of a “handful of rioters,” and the Israeli foreign ministry had described the settlers’ conduct as “a disgrace.” The current Israeli government, characterized by its ultranationalist and religious composition, has overseen a significant expansion of settlements in the West Bank, a policy widely considered illegal by the international community.

On his visit to Turmus Ayya, the ambassador explicitly addressed the U.S. citizens residing in the village and other communities across the West Bank, who constitute a notable portion of the Palestinian population. He acknowledged that many American citizens living in the area are not experiencing the peaceful life they deserve, with their lives being disturbed by “people who have created extraordinary challenges that are unfair and illegal.”

The U.S. Embassy, he explained, is not equipped to investigate criminal activity directly. However, it can communicate to the host government the “needs that need to be addressed” and highlight that “specific crimes and acts of terror cannot continue without that country doing the investigation and adjudication that every person has a right to expect.” The embassy’s role is to advocate for accountability and the protection of its citizens’ rights.

Ambassador Huckabee met with approximately ten Palestinian American residents who shared the profound impact of settler violence on their daily lives and properties, as reported by the municipality to the Associated Press. These accounts underscore the human cost of the ongoing conflict and the insecurity experienced by the local population.

Israel occupied the West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, during the 1967 Middle East war. These territories are sought by Palestinians for a future independent state. The United Nations and a significant portion of the international community consider these territories to be under illegal occupation.

Since 1967, Israel has established nearly 150 settlements in the West Bank, which are now home to over 500,000 Jewish settlers. Many of these settlements have developed into suburban-style communities. The Israeli military maintains a presence throughout the West Bank, but human rights organizations have frequently documented instances where the military allegedly fails to intervene in settler violence. Israeli settlers are Israeli citizens, and recent announcements from the Israeli defense minister suggest plans to fully transfer law enforcement responsibilities concerning settlers to the Israeli police.

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