U.S. ambassador to Israel says 'act of terror' cannot continue after weeks of West Bank unrest
The U.S. ambassador to Israel condemned Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank again on Saturday, calling the behavior an "act of terror" as he visited with Palestinian American residents shaken by months of attacks.
TL;DR
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee described Israeli settler violence in the West Bank as an "act of terror."
- Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya, a village reporting frequent settler attacks, and met with Palestinian American residents.
- Attacks by settlers have increased since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
- The ambassador stated that such actions are beyond criminal acts and constitute terror, urging investigation and adjudication by the host country.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously condemned settler actions, calling them a "disgrace."
- The Israeli government, described as ultranationalist and religious, has overseen a surge in West Bank settlement construction.
- The West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967, is considered occupied territory by the UN and much of the international community.