On July 19, 2025, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee traveled to Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian village in the occupied West Bank, to condemn a recent arson attack on the 5th-century Church of St. George and surrounding cemetery. Labeling the incident “a crime against humanity and God,” he delivered one of the most forceful rebukes from an American official in recent memory.
Taybeh’s Christian residents had reported multiple episodes of vandalism and harassment attributed to extremist Israeli settlers. According to local authorities, the July 7 fire near the church’s ruins was especially egregious, prompting renewed fears within the community.
During his visit, Huckabee toured the damaged church alongside Taybeh’s mayor, Suleiman Khourieh, and village clergy. He condemned not only the desecration of Christian holy sites but emphasized that attacks on any house of worship—be it a church, mosque, or synagogue—represented “an act of terror” and warranted “harsh consequences”.
Despite his well-known support for Israel and its settler movement, Ambassador Huckabee’s statements stand out for their directness. He stressed that individuals committing such crimes should face prosecution, and not mere reprimands.
The condemnation comes amid a rise in settler-on-Palestinian violence, including recent incidents in Sinjil, where Sayfollah Musallet, a U.S.-Palestinian dual citizen, was reportedly beaten to death by settlers during a land protest. Huckabee called that killing an additional “criminal and terrorist act,” urging Israeli authorities to investigate aggressively.
Officials in Taybeh, including church leaders, have called for an “immediate and transparent investigation.” They contend that settler violence has similarly threatened Bedouin communities and eroded local water infrastructure.
Israeli authorities have yet to issue a public statement on the Taybeh arson, although they have denounced similar settler attacks in the past.
Ambassador Huckabee’s intervention marks a sharp diplomatic turn: his comments arrive after his visit on July 19, and echo his plea for justice following the Musallet tragedy on July 11.
Huckabee, a conservative Christian and former governor of Arkansas, has historically backed Israel’s right to dwell in the West Bank. Yet his advocacy for accountability in these cases indicates a dual commitment: unwavering support for Israel, coupled with firm defense of Christian and Palestinian rights when under assault.
Local Palestinian Christians view the Taybeh attack as more than an isolated act—it is part of a broader campaign of intimidation against religious minorities. Damage to sacred sites, assault on civilians, and encroachment on farmland are said to have escalated over the past weeks.
In Washington, Ambassador Huckabee’s remarks have resonated across faith-based and conservative circles. They underscore the notion that Christian heritage in the Holy Land merits protection, reflecting deep-seated beliefs about global religious stewardship.
Human rights advocates, including some in the U.K. and Canada, have also condemned the broader trend of settler violence. They are calling for international cooperation to ensure legal consequences are enforced.
Still, the Israeli government has taken a cautious stance. While routine denouncements of settler violence appear in official statements, decisive action to rein in perpetrators has been erratic—fueling criticism about insufficient accountability.
Friends of Taybeh’s Christian community say Huckabee’s presence and words have bolstered their resolve. One cleric told reporters that the ambassador “listened and learned,” reaffirming their belief that the U.S. remains a reliable ally for religious minorities.
However, local leaders still worry. The church’s ruins are silent testimony to vulnerability in contested territories, where ancient communities face ongoing threats to their cultural and spiritual legacy.
Ambassador Huckabee has called on both Israeli and Palestinian security forces to collaborate on protecting civilians and historic sites. He emphasized urgency and thoroughness, and signaled that failure to act could alter international perceptions of Israel’s commitment to religious pluralism.
These events arrive amid global turbulence in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which erupted in October 2023, continues to inflame tensions in the West Bank. Over 1,400 settler-related incidents have been reported since then, according to U.N. and NGO tallies.
For observers aligned with conservative Christian values, Huckabee’s stand is powerful validation of a moral imperative: to defend the persecuted and uphold religious heritage. His voice is seen as affirming that unwavering support for Israel must not compromise commitments to justice and faith.
Looking ahead, the question remains whether his statements—especially this latest call for harsh consequences—will influence Israeli policy. The people of Taybeh and similar villages await answers, justice, and renewed measures to ensure their community and sacred spaces are protected against future violence.
Ambassador Huckabee’s rebuke marks a significant moment: a conservative Christian envoy, deeply supportive of Israel, yet equally resolute in defending Christian minorities and sacred history—even when it means confronting episodes of violence in occupied territories.
My perspective: I see Huckabee’s response as a necessary balance—standing firmly with Israel’s rightful place in the Holy Land, while also holding all abusers to account, especially when they target defenseless religious communities.