US ambassador calls Israeli settler blockade of Palestinian homes 'terrorism'

U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has strongly condemned the actions of Israeli settlers who have been blockading Palestinian homes in the West Bank, labeling their behavior an "act of terrorism." The blockade, which began on Sunday, targets several Palestinian families in Qusra, a village near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

Residents report being isolated and cut off from essential supplies, including food. The properties affected include that of a U.S. citizen. Ambassador Huckabee expressed his disgust on social media, stating, "The actions of those who carried out this horrific act of terrorism intended to intimidate and harass this family are repugnant. There is no excuse for such thuggish behavior."

Huckabee's condemnation is particularly noteworthy given his past support for Israeli settlements in the West Bank and his opposition to a Palestinian state. His strong denunciation of the settlers' actions signals a firm stance from the U.S. administration on such incidents.

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The actions of those who carried out this horrific act of terrorism intended to intimidate and harass this family are repugnant. There is no excuse for such thuggish behavior.

The Israeli military has deployed troops to the area and removed a tent erected by settlers, although witnesses claim the settlers remained and continued the blockade. The army later announced the deployment of an additional battalion to help restore order. This incident occurs amidst a broader context of accelerating Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is considered illegal under international law.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz attended the reopening of the Ganim settlement in the northern West Bank. Ganim was one of four settlements dismantled in 2005 but has since been rebuilt under the current Netanyahu government. Katz declared, "We have returned to Ganim and we have returned to stay," highlighting the government's commitment to expanding settlements. Over 500,000 Israelis now reside in West Bank settlements, while the Palestinian population in the territory is around three million.

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We have returned to Ganim and we have returned to stay.