US envoy Huckabee tells Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian Americans' land

Jerusalem: US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has cautioned militant Israeli settlers in the West Bank against seizing property belonging to Palestinian Americans, branding their actions as a breach of divine law. The Baptist minister, a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements, disclosed to Reuters that those discovered participating in a blockade of homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, including one owned by Palestinian American Loui Ridi, could face US sanctions.

Israeli settlers encircled homes in Qusra on August 9, allegedly aiming to claim privately owned Palestinian land, a move denounced by international human rights organizations. Despite Israel's military deployment of troops to the area and subsequent removal of the settlers, they remain nearby, causing residents like Ridi to fear further encroachment once troops withdraw.

In response to inquiries about the US administration's stance on settlers attempting to take possession of homes or land in the West Bank owned by Palestinian Americans, Huckabee emphasized the importance of basic civility and adherence to God's law, quoting the Biblical commandment "Thou shalt not steal." He emphasized that taking something not rightfully one's own constitutes theft.

A Palestinian American resident in Qusra, Ridi, who has communicated with Huckabee's embassy staff, continued to face harassment by Israeli settlers near his property. Huckabee, serving as the first evangelical Christian US ambassador to Israel, advocated for the settlers' actions to be punished both under Israeli law and US sanctions, which could include prohibition from entering the United States. However, he was unsure if such measures were currently being contemplated.

Israeli authorities have not charged any settlers involved in the Qusra incident, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not commented on the matter. A senior settler leader has, however, denounced the settlers' conduct.