US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Thursday warned extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank not to steal property owned by Palestinian Americans, adding that those found to have taken part in a siege of homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, including one belonging to a US citizen, could be punished with sanctions.
His message came as a group of Western nations condemned Israeli plans to build in E1, an area of the central West Bank long under contention. The countries warned construction companies that bidding for tenders in the project would be a violation of international law.
Huckabee’s statement is his latest condemnation of settler extremism in recent days, following the Qusra siege. Asked what message US President Donald Trump’s administration has for settlers considering seizing homes or land in the West Bank owned by Palestinian Americans, including one belonging to US citizen Loui Abu Ridi, Huckabee referred to Jewish and Christian scripture.
“I think the message is bigger than just even the Trump administration. It’s a message of basic civility and civilized behavior,” Huckabee said in Jerusalem. “You don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you.”
Citing the Ten Commandments, Huckabee said “Thou shalt not steal” and that people should neither take nor “covet” what belongs to others.
