US envoy Huckabee tells Israeli settlers 'Thou shalt not steal,' in response to West Bank violence

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned extremist Israeli settlers not to steal property owned by Palestinian Americans, citing the Ten Commandments. He referred to settlers who besieged homes in the West Bank village of Kusra, including one belonging to Palestinian American Loui Ridi, and said they could face US sanctions.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank not to steal property owned by Palestinian Americans, describing such behavior as a violation of God's law. In an interview with Reuters, Huckabee, a Baptist minister and longtime supporter of Israeli settlements, referred to settlers who besieged homes in the West Bank village of Kusra, including one belonging to Palestinian American Loui Ridi. He said those found to have taken part could face US sanctions, such as a ban on entering the US. Israeli settlers began encircling homes in Kusra on August 9, in what rights groups said was an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land. Israel's military deployed troops to push the settlers back, but residents fear they will encroach again once troops pull back. Huckabee said violent settlers are a minority who do not represent the wider settlement community. The US was "appalled" by what happened in Kusra, calling the targeting of Palestinian families "inexcusable and repugnant" criminal activity. Israeli police have not announced any arrests, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented.