Huckabee: Netanyahu’s NatSec A Terrorist
The ambassador condemned West Bank settlement violence as terror after years of backing settlements and a failed response to attacks on a Christian town.
Mike Huckabee called Israeli settlers who terrorize West Bank communities “a band of terrorists.” The description reaches the settlement system backed by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Netanyahu’s National Security Minister.
At a Sept. 5 town hall, Huckabee said seizing homes, burning cars, torching mosques, and vandalizing property rose beyond crime into “an act of terror.” The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem transcript records his definition: intimidation that leaves families afraid to live in their homes or let children play outside.
Huckabee long backed Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory, CBS News reported. In July 2025, he visited Taybeh after residents blamed settlers for an arson attack near its fifth-century church and demanded prosecution.
But the Vatican reported that attacks continued after his visit, including an attempted house fire and three burned vehicles. Local leaders said officials had failed to hold perpetrators accountable. A Palestinian-American homeowner later told NPR Huckabee’s statements were not enough.
Ben-Gvir’s ministry was set to transfer $1.31 million to a sanctioned group supporting illegal settler outposts, Middle East Eye reported. He also approved gun licenses in 18 settlements, according to Al Jazeera.
Ben-Gvir lives in the Kiryat Arba settlement, PBS reported. A Jerusalem court convicted him in 2007 of supporting a terrorist organization.