Key facts
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew has described violent Israeli settlers as "terrorists."
- The West Bank has seen increased unrest and violence in recent weeks.
- Lew's remarks represent a strong condemnation of settler actions.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew has labeled violent Israeli settlers as "terrorists" amid a period of escalating unrest in the West Bank. The remarks signal a strong condemnation from the U.S. government regarding the actions of these settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. Weeks of heightened tensions and violence have characterized the situation in the West Bank, prompting this direct and forceful language from the U.S. envoy.