US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Warns West Bank Settlers Against Seizing Palestinian American Land

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has warned Israeli settlers in the West Bank not to seize property owned by Palestinian Americans, describing such actions as a violation of God's law. In an interview with Reuters, Huckabee stated that settlers involved in a siege of homes in the village of Kusra, including the property of Palestinian American Loui Ridi, could face US sanctions such as entry bans. He referred to the Ten Commandments, specifically the command that thou shalt not steal, to emphasize that taking land from others is a violation of both man's and God's law.

The incident in Kusra began on August 9 when settlers encircled homes in an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land. While the Israeli military deployed troops to push settlers back, residents report that the settlers remain nearby and that harassment continues. Huckabee, a Baptist minister and former governor of Arkansas, described the perpetrators as Israeli terrorists and the criminal activity as inexcusable and repugnant.

Despite his criticism of these specific actions, Huckabee defended the broader settlement movement. He argued that violent settlers are a minority and that most families simply wish to live peacefully in the region, which he refers to by the biblical name Judea and Samaria. This terminology is used by the Israeli government but not by the US government. Palestinians and international bodies, including the UN, generally view the settlements as illegal under international law and an obstacle to an independent Palestinian state.

Israeli police have not announced any arrests or charges related to the siege, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the event. A senior settler leader has condemned the actions.