Huckabee Condemns Israeli Settlers as Terrorists in West Bank Siege

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issued a rare and strong condemnation on Thursday, labeling Israeli settlers as terrorists for laying siege to three Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra. The blockade, which began on Sunday, has left approximately 15 people, including two children, trapped in their homes without access to water, electricity, or reliable food supplies.

Huckabee, a staunch ally of Israel, described the actions as a "horrific act of terror" and "thuggish behavior" in a post on the social media platform X. He stated that the U.S. Embassy had been "VERY involved" and had requested the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Police remove the settlers, whom he referred to as "Israeli terrorists." This language marks one of the most direct public rebukes of settler violence by a senior U.S. official.

The siege has particularly focused on a home owned by a dual U.S.-Palestinian citizen. Loai Ridi, an American-Palestinian who owns a house in the village, said his brother and 18-year-old nephew were among those trapped. "He does not want to leave the home. Because if he leaves the home, the settlers will take over immediately," Ridi stated. The...