Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Huckabee Warns Israeli Settlers Over Palestinian American Property
Israeli settlers surrounded some homes in the West Bank village of Qusra.
One of the homes belongs to Loui Ridi, who is Palestinian American.
People who support the settlers taking land could be trying to claim property that belongs to Palestinian families.
Israeli soldiers pushed the settlers away from the homes for now.
The families are worried the settlers might come back later.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said people should not take property that is not theirs.
He said suspected participants could face punishment in Israel and possibly sanctions from the United States.
Huckabee also said peaceful settlers should not be judged by the actions of a violent minority.
Palestinians and many international bodies oppose the settlements, while Israel disputes their legal status.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee warned Israeli settlers not to take Palestinian Americans’ homes or land in the West Bank.
Settlers began encircling homes in Qusra on August 9, including the property of Palestinian American Loui Ridi.
Israeli troops pushed the settlers back, but residents fear they may return after the military withdraws.
Huckabee called the alleged actions criminal and said those involved could face Israeli penalties and possible U.S. sanctions.
The incident has revived disputes over West Bank settlements, which Palestinians and most countries consider illegal while Israel disputes that view.
- Who
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israeli settlers, Palestinian residents including Palestinian American Loui Ridi, and Israeli military forces.
- What
- Settlers allegedly encircled Palestinian homes in Qusra, prompting Huckabee to warn that those involved could face Israeli consequences and possible U.S. sanctions.
- When
- The encirclement began on August 9; Huckabee gave the Reuters interview on August 20.
- Where
- Qusra, a West Bank village in the area between Ramallah and Nablus.
- Why
- Rights groups said the encirclement appeared aimed at seizing privately owned Palestinian land, while residents feared further encroachment.
Palestinian and International Objections
Settler and Israeli Position
The Qusra property dispute
Palestinian and International Objections
Palestinians, rights groups and their supporters describe the encirclement as an attempt to seize privately owned Palestinian land and say the targeted families were victims of criminal activity.
Settler and Israeli Position
Huckabee said violent settlers represent only a minority and argued that the wider settlement community wants to raise families peacefully and securely in the West Bank.
Status of West Bank settlements
Palestinian and International Objections
Palestinians and their supporters say settlements consume territory intended for an independent Palestinian state, while U.N. bodies and most countries regard them as illegal under international law.
Settler and Israeli Position
Israel disputes the view that its settlements are illegal under international law.
Potential punishment
Palestinian and International Objections
Huckabee said alleged participants should face significant consequences in Israel and could also face U.S. sanctions.
Settler and Israeli Position
The article reports that Israeli police had announced no arrests or charges, and no U.S. sanctions were known to be under consideration.
- Village
- Qusra in the occupied West Bank
- Incident date
- Settlers began encircling homes on August 9
- Affected resident
- Palestinian American Loui Ridi
- U.S. warning
- Possible sanctions, including a ban on entering the United States
- Military response
- Israeli forces deployed dozens of troops and pushed settlers back from the homes
- Legal dispute
- Most countries and U.N. bodies consider Israeli settlements illegal under international law; Israel disputes this
- Israeli investigation status
- Police had announced no arrests or charges against alleged participants
