Mike Huckabee visits shrine in occupied West Bank, as petrol bombs thrown at convoy

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was among thousands of right-wing Israelis who visited Joseph's tomb, east of Nablus, overnight on Sunday, sparking clashes. 

Palestinian newspaper Maan news reported that clashes broke out between young Palestinians and Israeli forces who were escorting the group, "with Israeli soldiers firing tear gas canisters and stun grenades at the protesters who pelted soldiers stones and empty bottles."

Al Jazeera reported that Huckabee's convoy was hit with petrol bombs. 

"To have to do it in the dead of night, under armed guard, with the smell of tear gas in the air, burning tires along the route, it's a stark reminder (to how different) it is in the heart of Israel, where the Israeli government protects every Muslim that accesses their holy site," Huckabee said after the visit, according to Israeli news website Y'net news.  

Huckabee originally stood against Trump in the Republican primaries last year, but now supports the president.