The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called on Saturday (5) for "serious consequences" for attacks by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population in the West Bank. During his visit to the town of Turmus Ayya, Huckabee met with Palestinian-Americans who reported being victims of attacks by Israeli settlers. The ambassador stated that the US message is clear regarding the condemnation of violence.
Huckabee publicly declared that "crime is crime, terrorism is terrorism," and that people who commit these acts should expect severe consequences. The statement represents a tougher position from the American government regarding settler violence in the region.
The ambassador also stated that the Israeli government does not plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, contradicting suggestions made by some ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The issue of forced displacement has generated international controversy.
Huckabee's visit to Turmus Ayya comes amid growing reports of settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, a region that has experienced an increase in attacks since the beginning of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
