US Ambassador Accused of Misrepresenting Palestinian Village Visit

Amishav Malt, the bereaved brother of a man murdered in the West Bank, has directly challenged U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Hammer over footage released from the ambassador's recent visit to the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya. Malt claims he was the driver of the Ranger vehicle seen in Hammer's video and that his approach to the area was in response to a security report, not a threat.

Malt explained that a local shepherd reported dozens of vehicles gathering at the village outskirts, an area from which attacks and arsons against Jews have occurred. He drove the security Ranger to investigate and simultaneously reported to the IDF. Upon seeing "distinguished people and media crews," Malt stated they exchanged greetings and continued on their way. He later learned from the IDF that the visit was coordinated, yet they were subsequently portrayed in the media as "dangerous settlers."

Ambassador Hammer's visit followed recent tensions and violence in the area. He met with U.S. citizens and released footage of Malt and another individual approaching a house flying an American flag, stating he heard "disturbing stories about criminal and terrorist acts by a group of trespassers."

Malt responded by sending a letter to Hammer detailing serious allegations against village residents and officials he claims met with the ambassador. These include accusations of honoring terrorists with monuments, involvement in incitement and violence, and past participation in attacks against Israelis. Malt specifically named a former council head allegedly involved in a murder, a council member he identified as a released terrorist who incited violence and participated in attacks, and a high school principal accused of educating students towards terrorism and participating in riots.

Malt also detailed hundreds of recent attacks by Arabs from the village, including stone-throwing, arson, lynch attempts, and shootings targeting Jews and soldiers. He claimed ambulance footage shown to Hammer was selectively edited, alleging one ambulance intentionally blocked a military jeep during a stone-throwing attack. Malt concluded by inviting the ambassador to review evidence supporting his claims and visit them, urging Hammer not to be misled by what he called "hypocrites and terrorists in suits with carefully staged media performances."