Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, has criticized the actions of some Israeli settlers in the West Bank, calling them a "band of terrorists" involved in "horrible activities of criminal nature." His comments come at a time when settler violence has increased significantly, drawing criticism from retired Israeli military leaders and a warning from Israel's top national security think tank, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), which described "Jewish terrorism" as a growing national crisis and an existential threat to Israel's long-term stability. The rise in settler violence has shifted the political conversation in the United States. Congressional Democrats have united in support of proposed legislation that would impose sanctions on Israeli politicians and corporations linked to the violence. In contrast, the Trump administration, historically the most supportive of Israeli settlement expansion, has not taken a strong stance against the violence. This contrasts with countries like Canada and several European nations, which have already implemented sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in settler-related aggression. The current Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which took office in late 2022, has been accused of enabling settler violence through policies that support the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Two key ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, are both settlers and have played central roles in promoting settlement growth. Smotrich oversees civilian administration in the West Bank, while Ben Gvir has been criticized for failing to arrest violent settlers and for providing them with weapons. Israeli military data shows that 94 percent of investigations into settler violence between 2005 and 2025 have not resulted in criminal charges. The military has also increasingly relied on "regional defense units" made up of armed settlers, which has been seen as a factor in encouraging further violence. In the U.S., the issue has created a unique political dynamic, with Democrats in Congress largely united in condemning the violence, while the Trump administration has remained more neutral. This has raised questions about how future U.S. administrations, especially if Democrats regain control of the White House in 2028, might approach the issue. Experts are divided on the effectiveness of targeted sanctions against violent settlers. Some argue that such measures may not address the underlying causes of the violence, while others view them as a necessary moral response that could drive broader policy changes. The future of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the stability of the West Bank may depend on how these challenges are addressed moving forward.