• U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee denounced Israeli settler violence as an "act of terror."
• His visit coincided with a surge in violence against Palestinian Americans in the West Bank.
• Huckabee emphasized the need for the Israeli government to ensure Palestinian safety.
• About 80% of Turmus Ayya's residents are Palestinian Americans.
• Settler attacks have escalated since the onset of conflict following the October 7 Hamas attack.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the rising violence from Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, branding their actions as an "act of terror." During his visit to the town of Turmus Ayya, 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, that’s an act of terror," while meeting with shaken Palestinian American families. This village has faced frequent assaults amid escalating tensions since the onset of the latest conflict, following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, according to reports from Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

During the visit, Huckabee highlighted the responsibility of the Israeli government to ensure the safety of Palestinian residents. "One of the messages that we have been sending is that people in these communities have a right to live with a level of security and safety," he commented. The ambassador also met with local officials, expressing the need to address their “legitimate grievances.” As stated by Al Jazeera and CBS News, this exchange also underscored the voices of Palestinian Americans desiring a significant change in response to the ongoing violence.

The escalating violence has been attributed to the lack of accountability for aggressive settler behavior, which has increased since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government took office in late 2022. Huckabee, known for his prior support for Israeli settlements, stated that violent settlers should face prosecution, a call which reflects the concerns of residents like Sameer Hazama, who stressed the community's fears regarding the "lawless settlers." Reports from South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia point out that local Palestinians feel increasingly unsafe amid this surge of attacks.

During meetings, Huckabee emphasized the necessity for the Israeli government to implement "severe consequences" against those perpetrating these violent acts. He expressed the view that the continued attacks not only harm the Palestinian population but also jeopardize Israel's image on the global stage. As he noted, the minority of violent settlers tarnishes the wider reputation of the Israeli community. The United Nations has classified these settlements as illegal, adding to the international scrutiny faced by the Israeli government, as detailed in Le Monde and South China Morning Post.