US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has visited Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian town near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, following a recent attack by Israeli settlers that damaged an ancient church site.

“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,” Huckabee said in a statement that does not contain the word “settler” or “Israel”.

“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.”