Huckabee defends calling violent settlers ‘terrorists’: They’re ‘pouring gas on a fire’

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee defended his use of the term “terrorists” to describe extremist West Bank settlers, stating that their actions, such as besieging homes in Qusra, cause fear and force behavioral changes, which aligns with the US definition of terror. He clarified that these perpetrators are a “very small minority” and are “unsettlers” who harm Israel’s image. Huckabee also addressed the US involvement, noting it becomes automatic and significant when an American citizen is involved. He denied reports of a clash between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Jared Kushner regarding the next phase of the US-backed plan for Gaza, emphasizing that both sides agree Hamas must disarm and demilitarize before any Israeli withdrawals. Huckabee further attributed rising anti-Israel sentiment in the US to funding from entities like the Muslim Brotherhood and called for Israel to adopt a more aggressive public diplomacy strategy, while cautioning against actions by violent settlers that “pour gasoline on a fire.”