US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the actions of Israeli settlers in the West Bank a “terrorist act.” He sharply criticized the settlers who have been blocking Palestinian homes in the village of Qusra near the Palestinian city of Nablus for several days, including the home of a man with US citizenship.
In a post on the X platform, Huckabee called the settlers in Qusra “Israeli terrorists.” He wrote: “The actions of those who committed this horrific terrorist act aimed at intimidating and persecuting this family are appalling.” He also stated that there is no justification for “such cruel, thuggish behavior.”
The United States called on Israeli military and police to remove the radical settlers from Qusra. Residents reported being left without food and other supplies. One resident told AFP: “So far, no one has been able to deliver food and supplies to us as the area is completely surrounded by the army.” She added that “the settlers are scattered across the surrounding areas on the adjacent hill.”
Actions of Israeli Forces and the Rise in Violence
The Israeli military reported that overnight in this area they dismantled two “illegal outposts” and confiscated equipment. One Israeli was detained.
In recent years, violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased. Israeli military have been repeatedly accused of not taking decisive enough action against such attacks. At the same time, there are rare reports of settlers being held accountable after attacks.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the escalation of “settler terrorism” is a direct result of the protection, political support, and complete impunity provided by the government and military, according to its statement.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, among other territories, during the Six-Day War in 1967. Today, about 700,000 Israeli settlers live there alongside three million Palestinians. Palestinians claim these territories for the creation of their own state, but Israel rejects such demands.
Source: Der Spiegel
