From the Liveblog of
Friday, July 18, 2025
In sign of shift, far-right US news network airs segment on unchecked Israeli settler violence
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The far-right One America News Network airs a segment on last week’s killing of Palestinian-American Saif Musallet by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The network’s decision to focus on the phenomenon that was once largely ignored in more conservative circles highlights the shift among a camp of MAGA Republicans that has gradually become more critical of Israel.
The anchor for the segment is former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who was US President Donald Trump’s original pick for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew his nomination amid mounting scandals against him.
HOW MANY AMERICANS DO ISRAELI SETTLERS HAVE TO KILL BEFORE WE CARE? pic.twitter.com/4Sa6JGGf0Z
— One America News (@OANN) July 17, 2025
He notably refers to the West Bank by its biblical name of Judea and Samaria while excoriating the conduct of Israeli settlers who live there.
“The truth is, this isn’t an isolated tragedy. It’s part of a pattern of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian communities that include the torching of homes, farms and lives, all while protected by Israeli forces who are funded by US tax dollars,” Gaetz says. “That’s not even the most troubling part. Israel rarely holds these killers accountable. There have been eight unsolved killings of American citizens just since 2022.”
Earlier this week, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a devout evangelical Christian, characterized Musallet’s killing as an act of terrorism and demanded an Israeli investigation. It appeared to be the first time Huckabee had weighed in on the phenomenon of settler violence.
The Times of Israel Community.