Huckabee warns Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian American property
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U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned Israeli settlers not to take property owned by Palestinian Americans in the occupied West Bank, calling such actions a violation of God's law. In a Reuters interview on August 20, he said settlers involved in the August 9 siege of Qusra, including a home belonging to Palestinian American Loui Ridi, could face U.S. sanctions. Israeli troops have since pushed the settlers back, but residents fear renewed encroachment.
Key Facts
- U.S. officials estimate tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, many in villages between Ramallah and Nablus where Qusra lies.
- Israeli settlers began encircling homes in Qusra on August 9 in what rights groups called an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land.
- Huckabee said settlers found to have taken part in the Qusra siege, including a home owned by Loui Ridi, could be punished with U.S. sanctions.
- Israel's military deployed dozens of troops to Qusra and pushed the settlers back, but residents say settlers remain nearby.
- Huckabee last week denounced the perpetrators as 'Israeli terrorists.'
The Qusra Siege
Israeli settlers began encircling homes in Qusra on August 9 in what rights groups said was an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land. The case has drawn international condemnation, and Israel's military deployed dozens of troops to the area. Troops have since pushed the settlers back from the homes, but they remain nearby and residents, including Loui Ridi, fear the settlers will encroach again once troops pull back.
Huckabee's Warning
In a Reuters interview on August 20, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned settlers not to take property owned by Palestinian Americans, saying 'Thou shalt not steal' and citing the Ten Commandments. He said settlers found to have taken part in the Qusra siege could be punished with U.S. sanctions and described such behavior as 'a violation not just of man's law. That's a violation of God's law.' Huckabee, a Baptist minister and staunch supporter of Israel's settlements, last week denounced the perpetrators as 'Israeli terrorists.' U.S. officials estimate tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, many in villages between Ramallah and Nablus where Qusra lies.
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Huckabee warns Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian American property
