US Ambassador Condemns West Bank Settler Violence as “Act of Terror”
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US Ambassador Condemns West Bank Settler Violence as "Act of Terror"
- The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, recently condemned Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, calling it an "act of terror" and highlighting a surge in such incidents since October 7, 2023.
- During a visit to the Palestinian-American community of Turmus Ayya on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Ambassador Huckabee emphasized that those who commit these acts should face "severe consequences."
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The United States Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has strongly condemned the escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, labeling their actions as an “act of terror.” This denouncement came during his visit on Saturday, September 5, 2026, to Turmus Ayya, a Palestinian town with a significant Palestinian-American population that has experienced frequent attacks.
Ambassador Huckabee, who was sworn in on April 9, 2025, and presented his credentials on April 21, 2025, stated that criminal acts like burning cars, torching mosques, vandalizing homes, and painting graffiti extend beyond mere criminal acts to become acts of terror. He stressed that those responsible should anticipate “severe consequences” and underscored Israel’s responsibility for the security of Palestinians in the West Bank. This strong language marks a notable shift, as U.S. officials typically reserve the term “terrorists” for Palestinian militants.
The condemnation follows a significant increase in settler attacks since the conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. The United Nations humanitarian office reports that such violence has displaced over 2,500 Palestinians in the West Bank in 2026 alone, with more than 6,400 displaced since 2023. Ambassador Huckabee had previously spoken out against settler violence in August 2026, after incidents in Qusra, near Nablus, where homes were besieged and residents, including Palestinian-Americans, were trapped.