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

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has issued a stern warning to extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, cautioning them against stealing property belonging to Palestinian Americans. Describing such acts as a "violation of God's law," Huckabee, a Baptist minister and supporter of Israeli settlements, indicated that settlers involved in such behavior could face US sanctions.

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I think the message is bigger than just even the Trump administration. It's a message of basic civility and civilized behavior. You don't take something that doesn't belong to you.

His remarks follow an incident on August 9, where Israeli settlers reportedly began encircling homes in the West Bank village of Kusra. Rights groups claim this was an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land. The case has drawn international condemnation, and the Israeli military deployed troops to push the settlers back from the homes. However, residents, including Palestinian American Loui Ridi, remain concerned about potential future encroachments once the military presence withdraws.

When asked about the US administration's message to settlers considering taking Palestinian American-owned land or homes, Huckabee invoked both Jewish and Christian scripture. He stated, "You don't take something that doesn't belong to you." He emphasized that the message transcends the current administration, promoting "basic civility and civilized behavior."

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'Thou shalt not steal,' and that people should neither take nor 'covet' - or 'desire' - what belongs to others.

Huckabee specifically referenced the Ten Commandments, quoting, "Thou shalt not steal." He further explained that taking what belongs to another is a violation not only of human law but also of divine law. Huckabee, the first evangelical Christian to serve as US ambassador to Israel, has historically supported Israeli settlements, referring to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria. He also suggested that violent settlers represent a minority within the broader settlement community.

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If someone owns the land and they own their house, then having someone come and take it over and scare the family away from it, that's a violation, not just of man's law. That's a violation of God's law.