US Ambassador Clarifies Settlers Are Not the Problem After Condemning Violence in West Bank

On August 12, 2026, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog issued a follow-up statement distinguishing between the broader settler community and the small minority responsible for violent acts in the West Bank. This came hours after he strongly condemned the violent attack against a Palestinian family in the village of Kusra, calling the perpetrators "Israeli terrorists" and their actions a "horrific terror act."

Herzog emphasized that "settlers are not the problem in Judea and Samaria; the problem is lawbreakers," describing them as a very small minority causing significant harm to Palestinian families and Israel. He highlighted that genuine settlers, such as Yisrael Gantz, head of the Yesha Council, condemn these violent acts and urged the media to reflect this distinction in their reporting.

Earlier on the same day, Herzog rejected claims that the US Embassy in Jerusalem was inactive on the issue, stating it was "very involved" and that the Israeli Defense Forces and police were deployed at the embassy's request to remove the rioters. He described the attack as criminal with no justification for such bullying behavior.

The US State Department also condemned criminal violence from any party and stressed that stability in the West Bank directly supports Israel's security and aligns with the current administration's goal of achieving peace in the region.