A Jewish resident of the Shiloh-area communities has responded to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee after his visit to the Arab village of Turmus Ayya, identifying himself as the man seen driving a security vehicle near the delegation.
“Dear Mike Huckabee," Amishav Melet wrote in an X post published after Shabbat. “Well, that was me. I was the driver of the Ranger you filmed."
According to his account, a shepherd reported seeing dozens of vehicles gathering near the edge of Turmus Ayya, in an area where he claimed Jewish residents had experienced repeated attacks and arson.
Melet said he entered the security Ranger to check what was happening and simultaneously notified the IDF, as required by their security procedures.
“When we arrived and saw respectable people and media crews, we said hello and continued on our way," he wrote. “Shortly afterward, the army informed us that this was a proper, coordinated visit."
“That is the entire story," Melet added. “And yet, within minutes, we were portrayed in the media as ‘dangerous settlers.’"
Melet then accused Huckabee of being given an incomplete account of the situation in and around Turmus Ayya, making a series of allegations concerning local officials, educators and other residents whom he claimed have links to terrorism, incitement or violence against Israelis.
He also alleged that the village contains monuments glorifying terrorists and claimed that hundreds of attacks against Israelis have taken place over the past year, including stone-throwing, arson, shootings and assaults.
Melet further challenged videos shown to Huckabee during the visit, claiming that footage presented by local ambulance personnel had been edited in a way that omitted crucial context.
In one incident, Melet alleged that an ambulance blocked an IDF vehicle while stones were being thrown at the soldiers. He claimed the soldiers were eventually forced to leave the area and struck the edge of the ambulance while attempting to extricate themselves.
“I ask you to watch the full footage, rather than edited clips," Melet wrote. “When you cut out the beginning of an incident, you can make almost any story look completely different."
“I am a bereaved brother."