U.S. Condemns West Bank Church Arson as ‘Act of Terrorism,’ Demands Accountability
Jerusalem, July 20 (VOM-Voice of Malaysia): The United States has condemned an arson attack on a historic church in the Palestinian Christian town of Taybeh in the West Bank, labeling the act as “terrorism.” U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made the statement after Israeli settlers were accused of setting fire to the church and a nearby cemetery earlier this month.
“This is terrorism. This is a crime,” Huckabee said in a statement on Saturday (July 19). “Those responsible for this act of violence in Taybeh—or anywhere else—must be identified and brought to justice.”
The incident occurred on July 8 when settlers allegedly ignited fires near a historic church and Christian cemetery in Taybeh, one of the few majority-Christian towns in the occupied West Bank. The town has long been known for its peaceful coexistence and holds significant religious and cultural heritage for Palestinian Christians.
The attack has sparked outrage among local residents and international Christian organizations, many of whom fear rising hostility toward Christian communities in the region.
What makes Huckabee’s statement particularly striking is his political background — he is a former U.S. governor, a close ally of Donald Trump, and a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements. His public condemnation of settler violence as “terrorism” is seen as a rare and bold move.
Earlier this month, on July 16, Huckabee also called for an investigation into the killing of a Palestinian-American by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, similarly describing it as a “terrorist act.”
So far, the Israeli government has not issued any official statement regarding the church arson. While Israeli authorities have occasionally condemned settler violence, perpetrators are rarely prosecuted, fueling accusations of impunity.
The International Court of Justice has previously declared that Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights—territories occupied in 1967—are illegal under international law. Israel disputes this, citing historical, religious, and security claims.
Christian organizations have voiced alarm over the growing vulnerability of Christian sites and communities in the Holy Land. Many fear that if churches become deliberate targets, it could threaten the survival of ancient Christian communities in the Middle East, which have already faced decades of marginalization and violence due to regional conflicts.
The Taybeh attack underscores the deepening tensions in the West Bank and the broader implications for religious freedom and coexistence in a volatile region.
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