US Ambassador Condemns Israeli Settlers as Terrorists After Kosra Incident

US Ambassador Mike Hackabee sharply condemned Israeli settlers involved in a violent incident in Kosra, referring to them explicitly as "Israeli terrorists." He described their actions as a "disgusting act of terror" aimed at intimidating a family and strongly criticized the behavior as bullying with no justification. Hackabee clarified that the Israeli military and police acted at the request of the US Embassy, not due to White House intervention, and emphasized that claims suggesting the embassy or he personally were indifferent or inactive are false.

The ambassador's remarks highlight the current US administration's heightened sensitivity to attacks on American citizens in the West Bank. His use of the term "Israeli terrorists," unusual for a conservative US official, signals a significant escalation in the US government's tone regarding nationalist violence in the region. This statement sends a clear message to the Israeli government about its responsibility to address such incidents.

The incident and the ambassador's response have drawn attention amid ongoing tensions between right-wing activists and Israeli security forces in Kosra. The US Embassy had kept Washington informed of the situation, and the embassy's involvement underscores the diplomatic sensitivity surrounding violence in the area.