U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya on Saturday, a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank that has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli settler violence. The rare trip to meet with Palestinians follows international backlash over attacks by Israeli settlers.
During the visit, Huckabee met with Palestinian Americans, including relatives of U.S. citizens killed by settlers. The mayor of Turmus Ayya stated that about 80 percent of the town's approximately 3,000 residents are Palestinian Americans.
Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel and its settlements, labeled some of the settlers committing violence as terrorists. He stated that it is in the Israeli government's interests to take action against violent settlers, adding that people in these communities have a right to live with security and safety. He emphasized that the government has a responsibility to ensure that this happens.
While the ambassador highlighted the need for government action and security, some analysts have described the visit as symbolic.