US envoy brands West Bank settler siege near Nablus as terror
What's new: Israeli troops evacuated two Palestinians, removed 2 outposts and detained 1 Israeli after days of blockade in Qusra.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee sharply condemned Jewish settlers who blockaded Palestinian homes in Qusra, south of Nablus, calling the siege a “horrific act of terror.” Residents said settlers had surrounded homes since Aug. 9, cut off access to food and other supplies, hurled stones and tried to tear down a nearby stone wall. One targeted property belongs to Lou Ridi, a U.S. citizen. On Thursday, Israeli troops evacuated two family members from the house, dismantled two illegal outposts on Qusra’s outskirts and detained one Israeli, while sending more soldiers to the area. The episode stands out because Huckabee has long backed Israeli settlements and opposed a Palestinian state.