US Amb. Huckabee denounces ‘sacrilege’ of alleged church arson on visit to Palestinian Christian village Taybeh

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee demanded “harsh consequences” for the perpetrators of a fire that lightly damaged a church last week as he visited the village of Taybeh, the last majority-Christian village in the West Bank.

Huckabee’s visit on Saturday followed the revelation of his unusually harsh criticism toward Israel on Thursday, and his denunciation of the recent killing of an American-Palestinian, which he called “terrorism.”

He repeated this choice of words on Saturday, as he told residents and local leaders that “any desecration to a holy place – it doesn’t matter whether it’s a church, a mosque, or a synagogue – it’s unacceptable. To commit an act of sacrilege by desecrating a place that is supposed to be a place of worship, it is an act of terror, and it is a crime.”

Taybeh is a quiet Palestinian Christian village south of Jerusalem w/ a lot of American citizens that has been vandalized-including fires set at ancient church. I visited there today. Desecrating a church,mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity & God. pic.twitter.com/fGI6tCLQuC

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) July 19, 2025

In additional posts on 𝕏, Huckabee noted that Taybeh is a “quiet village” with a lot of American residents, adding, “I work for ALL American citizens who live in Israel-Jewish, Muslim or Christian. When they are terrorized or victims of crime I will demand those responsible be held accountable w/real consequences.”

In a separate statement published via the State Department, Huckabee said: “There should be consequences, and it should be harsh consequences because it is one of the last bastions of our civilization, the places where we worship.”

“What has happened here is an absolute travesty, and it’s my desire to do everything possible to let the people of this peaceful village know that we will certainly insist that those who carry out acts of terror and violence in Taybeh – or anywhere – be found and be prosecuted.”

I work for ALL American citizens who live in Israel-Jewish, Muslim or Christian. When they are terrorized or victims of crime I will demand those responsible be held accountable w/ real consequences. Was in Taybeh today to meet with people of that village to listen & learn. pic.twitter.com/tvl3qABZHx

— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) July 19, 2025

Hinting at criticism of the Israeli security system’s response to the incident, he added, “Not just reprimanded, that’s not enough. 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.”

Huckabee has been a vocal supporter of Israel's right to the biblical land of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) throughout his life, lending his visit and choice of words particular weight.

The greater area of Taybeh, which lies several kilometers northeast of the Palestinian Authority’s capital Ramallah, has been the scene of escalating violence between radical settler groups and local residents in recent weeks.

Several cases of arson, which damaged the church and the nearby cemetery, were blamed on Jewish settlers by Palestinians.

Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, Yaron Sideman, stated last week: “We take incidents such as the reported attack on the village of Taybeh very seriously and are thoroughly examining the circumstances. If a crime was committed, it will be fully investigated, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”

The fire was sharply condemned by local church leaders as well as King Abdullah II. of Jordan.

Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and the Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, called the settler attacks a threat to Christian heritage in the region, and demanded an investigation into the lacking response by Israeli authorities.

Relations between Israel and the Christian world significantly deteriorated in recent weeks amid several incidents involving local Christians.

On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Catholic Pope Leo to again express “Israel's regret for the tragic incident in which stray ammunition accidentally struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza. He sent Israel's heartfelt condolences for the families of those hurt in the incident.”

The prime minister’s office added that Netanyahu also updated the pope “on Israel's efforts to secure a hostage release deal and a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, efforts that have so far not been reciprocated by Hamas.”