US Ambassador on Qusra: "Remove the Israeli terrorists"
Political damage is mounting: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee stated that it was at Washington's request that the IDF and police began removing extremists besieging Palestinian homes in Qusra. "These are disgusting acts; there is no excuse for such bullying behavior," the diplomat emphasized.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee responded this morning, Thursday, to the siege imposed by extremist Jews on a Palestinian family in Qusra, labeling them "Israeli terrorists." The owner of the house, watching the situation from Ohio, stated that he has appealed to Congress.
According to Huckabee, the claim that the US Embassy in Jerusalem is not involved in the events is incorrect. "The IDF and the police arrived at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists who are doing this," he said. "The actions of those who do this to this family's home are criminal. We have already informed Washington of the situation. The actions of those who carried out this horrific act of terror, intended to threaten and harass the family, are disgusting. There is no excuse for such bullying behavior."
Huckabee, an ardent supporter of Israel, has repeatedly stated in the past that "Judea and Samaria are an integral part of the State of Israel." His sharp statement indicates the extent to which the Qusra incident is causing political damage to Israel in the US and globally, as many wonder why security forces have not yet evacuated the extremists who established an illegal outpost near Palestinian homes.
The White House and officials in the American administration expressed outrage over the incident and demanded clarifications from Israel. Administration sources stated they were shocked by the events, and questions are being raised in the US about whether there is anarchy in Israel and why the army is not preventing harm to Palestinians. The incident has drawn angry reactions from advisors to President Donald Trump.
It was previously reported that the Tel Talpiot outpost has been used as a base for establishing additional settlements. One such settlement was established near homes in Qusra, with footage circulating online showing IDF soldiers praying alongside Israelis at the outpost. The head of the Qusra council, Abd al-Azim Wadi, reported that settlers cut off electricity and are blocking access to three houses, and that appeals to the police and coordination authorities yielded no results.
The IDF addressed the issue two days later, calling the activities "illegal, despicable, and unacceptable," and declared the area a closed military zone. Yesterday morning, security forces dismantled a "shed," but extremists blocked access roads with heavy rocks. Central Command Chief Avi Bluth arrived at the scene, where clashes with IDF and Border Police forces were recorded.
By evening, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered the sector to be reinforced with an additional regular infantry battalion to restore order and operational control. It was also decided to take disciplinary action against the unit documented at the scene several days ago.
