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Saturday, July 19, 2025
US envoy Huckabee visits Christian Palestinian town of Taybeh in West Bank amid uptick in settler attacks
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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visits the Christian Palestinian town of Taybeh in the West Bank, which has been the scene of several attacks by settlers in recent weeks.
Taybeh residents and local church leaders say the town had experienced an upsurge in settler harassment recently. They point to an arson attack, which they said was committed by extremist settlers next to the ruins of the Church of St. George in the town last week, as one of the most serious incidents so far.
On Monday, the most senior church leaders in the Holy Land toured the Palestinian town and alleged that Israeli authorities have facilitated the ongoing harassment.
Huckabee’s visit to Taybeh comes amid growing concern from the US over Israeli actions toward Christians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement Thursday expressing regret after IDF tank fire killed three civilians in Gaza’s only Catholic church, heeding a demand from US President Donald Trump, who angrily phoned the Israeli premier over the incident.
Earlier this week, Huckabee threatened to declare publicly that Israel no longer welcomes Christian groups to Israel over what he said was Jerusalem’s failure to approve tourist visas for evangelical missions.
The Times of Israel Community.