US diplomat calls Israeli settler siege of West Bank homes ‘act of terror’

The United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said a days-long siege of Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers amounts to “terror”.

Huckabee, a staunch ally of Israel who has voiced support for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, made the unusually critical comments on Thursday, after Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian homes in the village of Qusra near Nablus, including one belonging to a dual US citizen.

Palestinian residents say they have been cut off from water, electricity and other critical supplies during the siege, which they describe as an attempt by the settlers to seize their land.

“Actions by those who carried out this horrific act of terror meant to intimidate and harass this family are disgusting,” Huckabee wrote in a post on X. “No excuse for such thuggish behaviour.”

The Times of Israel reported that Israeli forces and police attempted to “evacuate the settlers” early on Thursday after a previous failed effort the day before. The settlers, who have used rocks and tents to block the Palestinian homes, remained in the area as of Thursday morning, according to the report.

Loai Ridi, an American-Palestinian who owns a house in the village, said his brother Qusai Abu Rida and 18-year-old nephew, Ahmed, were among those trapped.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Toledo in the US, he said the family was relying on a temporary solar power system and leftover well water from the winter after supply lines were cut.

“He [Qusai Abu Rida] does not want to leave the home. Because if he leaves the home, the settlers will take over immediately,” Ridi said.