The United States expects "responsible action" by the Israeli government over recent attacks by West Bank settlers in the Palestinian village of Kusra, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said on Tuesday in an interview with N12 News, referring to the attacks as "terrorism."
"We feel like it's very important that people who carry out these acts of crime, and I'll use the word, terror. I've been rebuked by people who said, 'Well, that's not terrorism,'" said Huckabee, noting that those in the Israeli government who disagree with his use of the term can "say whatever they want."
"Under the US definition of terrorism, when acts are conducted that cause people to change their behavior, and put them in fear for their lives... that's terror," he said.
Huckabee noted that those involved in the attacks are a "very small minority," saying that he doesn't consider them settlers.
"I don't call them settlers, because I think many of them don't even live in Judea and Samaria," he said. "They live elsewhere, and they come in and create trouble. But they're not settlers; they're unsettlers."
He added that the attackers have caused damage to the image of both the State of Israel and the Jewish people despite them claiming to represent one or the other.
"What I would love to tell them is: if you want to help the Jewish cause, if you want to help the Israeli cause, then don't do something that none of us, even your best friends, can do anything other than look at, point at, and condemn," Huckabee said. "This is an act of crime; it's an act of terror. Stop it."
Iran must make a deal or face military action, won't keep enriched uranium
In response to reports that Iran is seeing to escalate the war, Huckabee said that he "hope[s] not," and that "we don't need another [war]."
"Let's hope that somewhere along the way, that the Iranian regime can wake up to the fact that they're not gonna get a nuclear weapon, and they can either determine they won't have it by result of diplomacy, or the result of activity that they really don't benefit from."
"They're weakened, they're weakened dramatically, economically, militarily, because of the 12-Day War last year, because of Epic Fury this year."
Huckabee called Iran's public refusal to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire "typical" for the country, and that the regime merely seeks to portray itself as strong despite the negative situation Iran finds itself in.
Moreover, Huckabee warned that should Iran refuse a deal, the US could take military action again.
Huckabee also reiterated the US' position on Iran's nuclear program, declaring that "they will not have" enriched uranium.
Huckabee: Trump 'sensitive' on Israeli elections, doesn't want to 'tip the scale'
The conversation then turned to Israel's upcoming elections in October, with the ambassador saying that US President Donald Trump likely prefers to stay out of the issue.
"I think he's sensitive," said Huckabee. "He doesn't want to engage."
Huckabee added that he believes Trump knows an endorsement of any particular Israeli party or candidate can both "help" or "hurt" the process, with the US president preferring not to "tip the scale unfairly."
He noted that if Trump wished to make an endorsement at any point, he probably would.
"He's a man that when he wants ot say something, he does," Huckabee said.
Huckabee noted that, "as an ambassador," he himself cannot be involved in Israel's election process.
"It's not a matter of even choice," he said. "It's a matter of obligation."
Israel not expected to withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, Huckabee says
Regarding Gaza, Huckabee emphasized Israel's commitment to Trump's 20-point agreement, saying it has "never backed away" from the peace deal.
He further declared continued US support for Israel's right to defend itself in Gaza, saying that the country is "not expected to stand back and take it in the teeth."
"What the president has made clear is that Hamas must disarm, demilitarize, and they have no future in the governing of Gaza," he said.
Huckabee further noted that Israel is not expected to withdraw until Hamas fulfills its obligations under the agreement.