U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, held discussions with Palestinian Americans, including family members of U.S. citizens who lost their lives due to attacks by Israeli settlers, in a Palestinian town located in the occupied West Bank that has been a frequent target of settler violence. The meeting took place amidst growing international criticism of the Israeli government’s perceived inaction towards settler violence.
While the Israeli government has denounced settler attacks, the lack of arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators has raised concerns. Despite not directly criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, Washington has called for the prosecution of those responsible for the violence, with Huckabee referring to them as terrorists.
Huckabee characterized his visit to Turmus Ayya, a town where a majority of Palestinian residents are U.S. citizens, as productive. He emphasized the importance of holding accountable those engaging in criminal acts and terrorism, noting that a small faction of settlers, numbering a few hundred individuals, is tarnishing the country’s image.
The ambassador, known for his support of Israeli settlements, highlighted that the majority of the settler community does not engage in violent activities. The West Bank, referred to by Huckabee as Judea and Samaria, has witnessed a surge in settler violence alongside increasing restrictions on Palestinian freedoms since Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition came to power in late 2022.
In response to Huckabee’s comments, Yasser Alkam, a Palestinian American spokesperson, disputed the ambassador’s claim, stating that thousands, not hundreds, of settlers are involved in violence against Palestinians. The U.S. Embassy, Huckabee clarified, lacks the authority to take direct action but aims to raise awareness and advocate for necessary corrections.
The meeting also included Hadeel Jabara, a Palestinian American mother who tragically lost her U.S. citizen husband to settler violence in 2023. She expressed hope for increased protection for residents and voiced concerns for the safety of her children. Tragically, since 2024, at least six Palestinian Americans have lost their lives in the West Bank due to incidents involving Israeli military or settlers.