Huckabee urges Israel to act on settler ‘terrorism,’ warns Iran over nuclear program
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called recent West Bank settler attacks on a Palestinian village "terrorism."
- Huckabee urged Israel to take "responsible action" against those involved and warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons.
- He stated that Iran must reach a deal or face potential military action, emphasizing the U.S. position that Iran will not obtain enriched uranium.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has labeled recent attacks by West Bank settlers on the Palestinian village of Kusra as "terrorism" and urged the Israeli government to take "responsible action." Speaking in an interview with N12 News, Huckabee stated his belief that individuals carrying out such criminal acts, which instill fear and cause people to change their behavior, fit the U.S. definition of terror.
We feel like it's very important that people who carry out these acts of crime, and I'll use the word, terror. I've been rebuked by people who said, 'Well, that's not terrorism.'
Huckabee differentiated the attackers from genuine settlers, referring to them as "unsettlers" who cause trouble and damage the image of Israel and the Jewish people. He implored them to cease their actions, stating that their behavior is indefensible even to their closest allies. "This is an act of crime; it's an act of terror. Stop it," he declared.
Under the US definition of terrorism, when acts are conducted that cause people to change their behavior, and put them in fear for their lives... that's terror.
Turning to Iran, Huckabee expressed hope that the country would not escalate the conflict, stating, "we don't need another [war]." He warned the Iranian regime that it would not acquire nuclear weapons, whether through diplomacy or "activity that they really don't benefit from." Huckabee noted Iran's weakened economic and military state following recent conflicts.
I don't call them settlers, because I think many of them don't even live in Judea and Samaria. They live elsewhere, and they come in and create trouble. But they're not settlers; they're unsettlers.
He characterized Iran's refusal to negotiate a ceasefire extension as typical behavior, suggesting the regime attempts to project strength despite its difficult situation. Huckabee reiterated the U.S. stance that Iran will not possess enriched uranium and warned that military action remains a possibility if diplomatic avenues fail. He also commented on Iran's public refusal to negotiate, calling it "typical" for the country.
What I would love to tell them is: if you want to help the Jewish cause, if you want to help the Israeli cause, then don't do something that none of us, even your best friends, can do anything other than look at, point at, and condemn. This is an act of crime; it's an act of terror. Stop it.
Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.