Tel aviv: US House Speaker Mike Johnson has become the highest-ranking American official to visit an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. During his trip to Israel, Johnson visited Ariel city, which is identified as the fourth-largest illegal settlement in the area.

According to Anadolu Agency, Marc Zell, chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, shared the news of Johnson's visit on X, noting that Johnson expressed his belief that the mountains of Judea and Samaria are the rightful property of the Jewish people. The visit has drawn attention as Johnson and his delegation plan to extend their trip to Gaza, where they will tour controversial aid centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an organization supported by both the US and Israel.

The Gaza Strip continues to face severe restrictions on access to food, water, and medical supplies due to an ongoing Israeli blockade and challenges in aid distribution by the GHF. Johnson's delegation is also scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog during their eight-day visit, which is expected to conclude on August 10. The trip was organized by Heather Johnston, founder of the US-Israel Education Association, a conservative pro-Israeli advocacy group.

Israeli officials informed Axios that the visit was not coordinated with the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, or the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and that the US Embassy in Jerusalem was similarly uninvolved. The presence of the Republican delegation in Israel became public only after statements were released by Israeli ministers regarding their meetings.

Johnson's visit comes amid increased tensions following the outbreak of conflict in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. According to the ministry, Israeli forces and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,013 Palestinians and injured over 7,000 in the West Bank since the conflict began. The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion last July, declaring Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and calling for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.