United States Ambassador Mike Huckabee has publicly labeled recent attacks by West Bank settlers in the Palestinian village of Kusra as acts of terrorism, stating that the U.S. expects responsible action from the Israeli government Jpost. Speaking in an interview with N12 News, Huckabee emphasized that under the U.S. definition of terrorism, acts that cause people to change their behavior and put them in fear for their lives constitute terror. He added that those in the Israeli government who disagree with his terminology can express whatever views they want.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Labels West Bank Settler Attacks Terrorism
Huckabee asserted that the individuals involved in the violence represent a very small minority and stated that he does not consider them to be actual settlers. Instead, he referred to them as unsettlers who live elsewhere and come into the area to cause trouble, noting that their actions damage the image of both the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The ambassador’s remarks come amid heightened tension and violence in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian communities have faced mounting pressure.
Standoff and Home Siege in Qusra
The diplomatic remarks follow an ongoing standoff in the West Bank village of Qusra, south of Nablus, where Israeli settlers have besieged Palestinian homes for over a week according to AP News. Loui Ridi, a 46-year-old Ohio-based Palestinian-American landlord, traveled from the United States and arrived at his property on Monday to join family members who had been defending his besieged home according to NPR. Ridi watched the siege unfold from afar via home security cameras before flying back to Israel.
Upon his arrival, Ridi hoisted a large American flag from his roof in an effort to deter militant settlers encircling the property according to Reuters. Despite an Israeli military escort enabling Ridi to enter his home, he was subsequently told by soldiers to remain inside because the neighborhood had been designated a closed military zone. Ridi expressed frustration that soldiers interacted amicably with settlers and voiced fear that settlers would resume their threats and build tents outside his home the moment military forces departed.
Broader Context of West Bank Violence and International Reactions
The situation in Qusra mirrors wider unrest across the territory. According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed 87 Palestinians so far this year, while Palestinians have killed three Israelis according to NPR. Human rights organizations and international officials have criticized the broader trend of settler violence, which critics argue is enabled by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government according to Al Jazeera.
During his interview, Ambassador Huckabee also addressed broader regional topics, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump remains sensitive regarding Israel’s upcoming elections in October and prefers not to tip the scale with endorsements. Regarding Gaza, Huckabee reiterated that Israel is committed to Trump’s 20-point agreement and stated that Israel is not expected to withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, demilitarizes, and is removed from future governance Jpost.
