US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently condemned violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, explicitly labeling the behavior as an “act of terror.” The remarks were made during a visit to Palestinian American residents who have been affected by a recent surge in regional unrest and attacks.

While both The Independent and the SCMP report on the condemnation, the SCMP provides additional context regarding the specific circumstances of the ambassador's comments. According to the SCMP, Huckabee’s use of the term “terrorists” is significant because it is a label that US officials have historically reserved for Palestinian militants rather than Israeli settlers. The SCMP also notes that the ambassador addressed the issue of "squatters" who occupy land that does not belong to them, specifically referencing the act of burning property and placing unauthorized flags on private land.

There is a slight difference in how the outlets frame the duration of the unrest. The Independent describes the situation as “weeks of West Bank unrest,” whereas the SCMP characterizes the environment as having been defined by “months of attacks.” Both outlets agree on the core fact that the US Ambassador has taken a firm stance against settler violence, marking a departure from traditional diplomatic language used by previous US administrations regarding the West Bank.