Israel sends troops to West Bank village amid U.S. criticism

Israeli troops deployed to a West Bank village Thursday amid settler actions that saw Palestinian homes besieged, prompting an unusually strong condemnation from the U.S. ambassador who labeled the incident an "act of terrorism."

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The actions of those who carried out this horrible act of terrorism intended to intimidate and harass this family are repugnant.

In the village of Qusra, in the northern West Bank, Israeli settlers had surrounded several Palestinian homes since Sunday. Residents reported being isolated and cut off from food and other essential supplies. The Israeli military stated its troops were deployed to "protect the inhabitants and maintain security." Earlier, troops had removed a settler tent and arrested one Israeli, according to a military statement.

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There is no excuse for such thuggish behavior.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee expressed strong disapproval on social media, calling the settlers' actions "repugnant" and stating there is "no excuse for such thuggish behavior." His unusually sharp criticism is notable given his past support for Israeli settlements and opposition to a Palestinian state.

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The tent and the settlers' things are no longer there, but they are on the neighboring hill.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities officially inaugurated a new settlement in another part of the occupied territory, over 20 years after a previous settlement was dismantled. The events in Qusra have drawn criticism from Israeli opposition figures, with one calling it a "failure and weakness of this government." International bodies, including the UN and the EU's diplomatic service, have urged Israel to uphold its obligations under occupation law and prevent settler violence.

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The events of Qusra once again illustrate the failure and weakness of this government.