Mike Huckabee calls West Bank Kusra attacks by Israeli settlers 'terrorism'

Huckabee Denounces West Bank Settler Violence as ‘Terrorism’

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has publicly condemned a series of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Kusra, labeling the perpetrators “Israeli terrorists” and warning that they could face U.S. sanctions. The incidents, which began on August 9, have drawn international attention and highlighted tensions over settlement expansion in the occupied territory.

The Siege of Kusra

According to reports, Israeli settlers surrounded homes in Kusra, including one belonging to Palestinian-American Loui Ridi, cutting off water and electricity, setting cars on fire, and throwing Molotov cocktails. Ridi, a Palestinian-American from Ohio, raised a large American flag above his home in an attempt to deter the attackers. Israeli forces eventually deployed dozens of troops and pushed the settlers back, but they remained nearby, and residents expressed fears of further encroachment once troops withdraw.

Huckabee, a Baptist minister and longtime supporter of Israeli settlements, referred to those involved as “Israeli terrorists” in mid-August, a significant departure from his usual stance and from the Trump administration’s typical use of the term for groups like Hamas. In an interview with Reuters, he described the attempts to seize land or homes belonging to Palestinian Americans as “a violation of God’s law,” quoting the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not steal” and warning against coveting others’ property.

“You don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you,” Huckabee said, adding that settlers found to have participated in the siege could face U.S. sanctions. He also told N12 News that the attacks constituted “terrorism” under U.S. definitions, stating, “When acts are conducted that cause people to change their behavior, and put them in fear for their lives... that’s terror.”

Huckabee’s Distinction: ‘Settlers’ vs. ‘Unsettlers’

Huckabee sought to distinguish between the perpetrators and the broader settler community, describing those involved as a “very small minority.” He said he does not call them settlers, because many do not live in Judea and Samaria—his preferred term for the West Bank—but come in to create trouble. “They’re not settlers; they’re unsettlers,” he said. He added that the attackers have damaged the image of Israel and the Jewish people.

“What I would love to tell them is: if you want to help the Jewish cause, don’t do something that none of us, even your best friends, can do anything other than look at, point at, and condemn,” Huckabee said. “This is an act of crime; it’s an act of terror. Stop it.”

Broader Context and Reactions

The violence in Kusra occurs amid a rise in settler attacks in the West Bank, which the United Nations says has reached record levels in 2026. The incidents have prompted international criticism, including from EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas, who warned that Israeli plans to build settlements in the E1 area “would divide the West Bank in two” and erode the viability of a two-state solution. The Israeli occupation and settlements are considered illegal under international law, a notion rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, called Huckabee’s characterization of the perpetrators as “Israeli terrorists” accurate, and said the administration needs to pressure the Israeli government. Shapiro added that Netanyahu actively permits far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich to “ignore, encourage, or facilitate” settler violence.

The White House issued a statement on background saying, “A stable West Bank keeps Israel secure and is in line with this administration’s goal to achieve peace in the region.” However, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Official Israeli Response Lacking

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to stop using administrative detention against Jewish extremists in the West Bank, and said police need to take responsibility for law enforcement against Israeli civilians there. However, no arrests have been announced in connection with the Kusra siege, and Netanyahu has not publicly commented. A senior settler leader condemned the attackers’ actions.

Huckabee said the U.S. expects “responsible action” by the Israeli government, but acknowledged that some officials may disagree with his characterization of the events. He also expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution with Iran, warning of military action if no deal is reached, and reiterated that Israel remains committed to Trump’s 20-point agreement on Gaza, which requires Hamas to disarm and demilitarize.