U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday condemned violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, describing their actions as 'acts of terror' during a visit to the village of Turmus Ayya. Huckabee’s remarks came amid a documented surge in settler violence since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the United Nations humanitarian office.
Ambassador Huckabee’s Statements and Context
During his visit, Huckabee explicitly labeled violent settler actions—including burning cars, torching mosques, vandalizing homes, and painting graffiti—as 'acts of terror', stating: 'If there are squatters that come in and put up their own flags and take possession of something that does not belong to them... that’s a criminal act. But it extends beyond a criminal act. It’s an act of terror.' He clarified that his comments were directed at a 'tiny minority' of extremist settlers responsible for the violence, not the broader settler community.
Huckabee also addressed the increased frequency of attacks in Turmus Ayya, where residents report frequent settler incursions over the past year. The village, near Ramallah, is home to a significant population of Palestinian American citizens, many of whom have faced repeated harassment. Mayor Nawwaf Zaghoul described the situation as 'constant attacks by violent extremists' and requested U.S. assistance in securing safety for residents.
International and Israeli Responses
The United Nations has documented a rise in settler violence since October 7, with attacks targeting Palestinian communities, mosques, and homes. In the West Bank town of Qusra, settlers surrounded several homes, including one owned by a Palestinian American, while in Bazariya, a mosque was burned and graffiti left reading 'Huckabee regards from the terrorists' in Hebrew. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously condemned the actions of a 'handful of rioters', and the Israeli foreign ministry called the settlers’ behavior 'a disgrace.'
Huckabee emphasized that while the U.S. Embassy cannot investigate criminal activity, it can urge host governments to address such acts. He stated: 'There are needs that need to be addressed, there are issues that cannot go unnoticed, and specific crimes and acts of terror that cannot continue without that country doing the investigation and adjudication that every person has a right to expect.'
Gaza Displacement Claims Addressed
In a separate statement during the same visit, Huckabee categorically denied claims that Israel is planning to force Palestinians out of Gaza against their will. He stated: 'I can tell you categorically there is no plan of the Israelis to displace people out of Gaza against their will.' His remarks followed comments by Israeli ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who proposed a plan for the 'voluntary emigration' of 250,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the first year, with the eventual departure of the remaining population over six years. Defense Minister Israel Katz also suggested Israel was prepared to facilitate Palestinian migration by sea and land, contingent on U.S. coordination.
Huckabee reiterated that any Palestinian departure from Gaza must be voluntary, aligning with U.S. policy under the Trump administration, which has prioritized restricting international migration. He added: 'There is an open-mindedness that if people wish to leave, they should have the right to leave.' However, he emphasized that forced displacement is not supported by Israel or the U.S.
Background: Escalation in the West Bank
Settler violence in the West Bank has risen sharply in recent years, with attacks often targeting Palestinian villages, agricultural land, and religious sites. The Turmus Ayya area has seen multiple incidents, including the killing of U.S. citizens by extremist settlers. Huckabee met with families of victims during his visit, underscoring the human toll of the violence.
While Huckabee has historically supported Israeli settlements, his recent statements reflect a shift in tone toward condemning extremist settler actions. His remarks follow repeated calls from U.S. officials for accountability and an end to violence in the West Bank.