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 Israeli settler violence, in a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank that has been a target of such attacks.
The visit occurred amid increasing international criticism towards settler violence and perceived inaction by the Israeli government. While Israel has condemned such violence, arrests and prosecutions of perpetrators are rare.
Although Washington has not openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, it has called for the prosecution of those responsible for the violence, with Huckabee labeling them as terrorists.
Huckabee described his meeting in Turmus Ayya, a town where a majority of Palestinian residents are U.S. citizens, as productive.
The Ambassador, known for his support of Israeli settlements, emphasized the need for legal action against violent settlers. He noted that the actions of a small group of individuals were tarnishing the country’s reputation.
Palestinians in the West Bank have faced escalating settler violence and increasing restrictions under the military occupation since Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition took office in late 2022.
Turmus Ayya residents have been enduring frequent settler attacks. The town, with about 3,000 inhabitants, predominantly consists of U.S. citizens.
Israeli settlements, including Shiloh, surround the town. Huckabee has visited Shiloh twice since 2025.
Huckabee, the first evangelical Christian appointed as U.S. envoy to Israel, refers to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria, a term used by the Israeli government.
In January 2025, President Donald Trump reversed sanctions imposed by the previous administration on far-right Israeli settler groups involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Yasser Alkam, a Palestinian American spokesperson, disagreed with Huckabee’s assessment, stating that thousands, not hundreds, of settlers were involved in violence against Palestinians.
Huckabee clarified to the media that the U.S. Embassy lacked the authority to take direct action but could advocate for necessary changes.
During the meeting, Hadeel Jabara, a Palestinian American mother who lost her husband to settler violence in 2023, expressed optimism about potential U.S. government support in ensuring the safety of residents.
Since 2024, at least six Palestinian Americans have lost their lives in the occupied West Bank due to violence from either Israeli military forces or settlers.