US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Christian village of Taybeh in Samaria on Saturday, delivering a strong message of solidarity after reports of recent harassment allegedly perpetrated by Israeli extremists. Huckabee condemned the reported incidents, including a suspected arson attack near the ruins of the Byzantine-era Church of Saint George on July 7, calling it “an absolute travesty” and “a sacrilege.”

In remarks following his visit, Huckabee stressed that those responsible must face justice. “People need to pay a price for doing something that destroys that which belongs, not just to other people, but that which belongs to God,” he said. The ambassador emphasized mutual respect for all houses of worship, noting that desecrating a church, synagogue, or mosque is unacceptable regardless of faith.

While Taybeh, near Ramallah, is reportedly the last remaining Christian-majority village in Judea and Samaria—a status shaped by widespread Muslim harassment following Palestinian Authority control over most Arab localities—recent church statements have accused “radical Israelis from nearby settlements” of targeting the village’s Christian residents. Church leaders called on Israeli authorities to investigate not only the perpetrators but also the police response, alleging that no officers arrived despite emergency calls during the reported arson.

See: Jews did not attack Christians, settler spokesman insists

Huckabee’s visit underscores the principle that all communities under Israeli jurisdiction deserve protection and the rule of law, reflecting Israel’s commitment to religious freedom—a rare reality in the Middle East. However, the broader context reveals a stark disparity in violence statistics often overlooked by international critics: According to Rescuers Without Borders, Palestinian terrorists carried out at least 6,343 attacks targeting Israeli Jews in Judea and Samaria in 2024 alone, resulting in 27 murders and over 300 injuries. In contrast, recorded incidents of Jewish violence against Palestinians last year stood at 663—down 34% from 2023.

This disparity highlights the asymmetry of threats faced by Israelis living in these areas and underscores Israel’s ongoing efforts to maintain security and civil order amidst complex realities. Huckabee’s firm stance reflects the shared US-Israel commitment to defending religious freedom and protecting vulnerable communities, even as Israel continues to combat the far greater and persistent threat of Palestinian terrorism across Judea and Samaria.

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