Speaker Mike Johnson visits occupied West Bank to support Israeli settlers

Palestinian foreign ministry condemns Republican visit for undermining efforts to stop the war and cycle of violence'

Mike Johnson became the highest ranked US official to visit the occupied West Bank on Monday, the Republican House speaker drawing measures of praise and condemnation for his trip in support of Israeli settlements amid a worsening starvation crisis in Gaza.

The excursion followed Johnson's arrival in Israel on Sunday on an unannounced visit with other Republican lawmakers, and his meeting with Israeli defense minister Israel Katz and foreign minister Gideon Saar.