Huckabee says Israel not planning to force Palestinians out of Gaza Strip during West Bank visit

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Turmus Ayya in the West Bank on Saturday, meeting with Palestinian families, including Palestinian Americans, affected by extremist settler violence. Huckabee called for “severe consequences” for perpetrators, stating that “crime is crime, terror is terror.” He emphasized the Israeli government's responsibility to ensure the safety of targeted Palestinians and urged action against the “tiny group of little marauders” damaging Israel's reputation. Huckabee noted that while a few hundred individuals were responsible, 99% of Israelis condemn such extremists. However, a Palestinian American spokesperson, Yasser Alkam, disputed the number, claiming thousands of settlers were involved and called for stronger US pressure on Israel to arrest known perpetrators. The visit comes amid increasing international condemnation of settler violence and perceived Israeli government inaction.