A senior U.S. diplomat has underscored Israel’s obligation to ensure the safety and security of Palestinian residents in the West Bank, emphasizing that settler violence constitutes criminal activity with severe consequences. The remarks came during a visit by Ambassador Mike Huckabee to the Palestinian-American community in Turmus Ayya, a town where a significant portion of the population holds U.S. citizenship.
Addressing Legitimate Grievances in Turmus Ayya
Ambassador Huckabee, known for his strong pro-Israel stance, visited the home of a Palestinian-American family in Turmus Ayya, a community that has reportedly faced repeated harassment from settlers. His stated purpose was to understand the “legitimate grievances” of the residents. During his visit, while Huckabee was meeting with families inside a well-maintained home, a settler on a quad bike approached from a nearby outpost.
Inside the house, Huckabee articulated the U.S. position: “One of the messages that we have been sending and we will continue to send is that people in these communities have a right to live with a level of security and safety, and that the government has a responsibility to make sure that that happens.”
Context of West Bank Occupation and Settler Violence
Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank since 1967. Over the years, violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian residents has been a persistent issue, often without significant legal repercussions. Recent months have seen a notable increase in such attacks, occurring in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
While stopping short of directly criticizing the Israeli government by name, Huckabee drew a clear line between criminal acts and terrorism. “Our clear message is that crime is crime, terror is terror,” he stated. “When people do it they should have an expectation that they will have severe consequences.”
Huckabee suggested that taking decisive action against perpetrators of violence would be in Israel’s “best interest.” This stance comes as Israel faces mounting international scrutiny, including from its key ally, the United States, particularly regarding its military operations in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
“Their reputation does not do well when it appears that this tiny little group of marauders are somehow representative of the larger population. I don’t believe that it is,” Huckabee commented, referring to violent settlers. He estimated that “a few hundred” individuals might be responsible for such acts, adding, “but that’s a few hundred too many.”
Experiences of Palestinian-American Residents
Ambassador Huckabee spent approximately two hours engaging with Palestinian-American residents at the home of Samir Hazmeh. The gathering concluded with a shared meal of maqluba, a traditional dish. Hazmeh recounted that his home had been vandalized twice by settlers, who had also attempted to breach its gates and set it on fire. To deter further attacks, he had installed barbed wire and displayed an American flag.
Another attendee, Yasser Alqam, shared his inability to access his own land, located just 100 meters from his home, due to repeated settler attacks. Alqam expressed his dismay that former President Donald Trump had rescinded sanctions on settler extremists that had been imposed by the previous administration. “The United States already has the ability to put pressure on Israel to at least arrest those settlers who are known to the authorities,” he asserted.
Jinan Alqam, Yasser’s wife, wearing traditional Palestinian attire, conveyed her hope to Huckabee that he could intervene to provide protection from settlers. This protection, she explained, would enable them to access their land and harvest olives during the upcoming season.
Settlements, International Law, and Political Landscape
The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been accelerating the approval of new settlements in the West Bank. These settlements are considered illegal under international law. Currently, over 500,000 Israeli settlers reside in the West Bank, alongside approximately three million Palestinians.
Despite Huckabee’s characterization of violent settlers as a small minority, the current Israeli government includes far-right ministers who have publicly discussed the possibility of expelling the Palestinian population from the West Bank. Huckabee also refuted claims that Israel intended to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, a notion that had been raised by some Israeli ministers regarding the region’s two million inhabitants.
Faith and Policy
Huckabee, an evangelical Christian pastor and former governor of Arkansas, has frequently cited his religious beliefs as a foundation for his support of Israel. Historically, he had been reluctant to use the term “Palestinian.”
Regarding settler violence, Huckabee invoked religious principles, stating, “I think the Scripture is pretty clear — Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not kill, and thou shalt not even covet.”
In a previous instance last month, Huckabee played a role in resolving a situation where settler extremists had blocked essential supplies to another Palestinian-American family in Qusra. This intervention led to a rare public condemnation of settlers by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Conclusion
Ambassador Huckabee’s visit and statements highlight the ongoing U.S. concern regarding settler violence in the West Bank and reiterate Israel’s responsibility to uphold the safety of all residents. The remarks underscore the complexities of the region’s political landscape, the legal status of settlements, and the impact of extremist actions on both Palestinian lives and Israel’s international standing.
