Last Christian town in West Bank suffers violent settler attacks

Fr Bashar Fawadleh, Parish Priest of the Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh - the last completely Christian town in the West Bank, writes:

Yesterday evening, Tuesday at approximately 8.30pm, we were subjected to yet another attack - one that was complex, alarming, and difficult to comprehend or justify.

The events began with a fire being deliberately set across a large area of Jabal Al-Masis, opposite the fuel station. Palestinian firefighting crews were initially prevented from reaching the site due to the absence of the necessary security coordination, allowing the fire to spread and threaten surrounding land and property.

In response to this danger, a group of young men from the town volunteered to assist in extinguishing the fire by bringing a water tanker to the area. Instead of being allowed to carry out this humanitarian effort, they were surrounded and obstructed by settlers. The situation then escalated further when another group of young men was attacked. Several individuals were physically assaulted, two vehicles were damaged, and a mobile phone was stolen.

Most alarming of all, live fire was directed at us on three separate occasions during these events. Such actions represent a grave escalation that endangered civilian lives and spread fear among the residents of our community.

The fire was eventually brought under control only after the required coordination procedures were completed, enabling Palestinian firefighters to access the area, and with the arrival of the Israeli police, preventing the blaze from spreading further.

What we are experiencing is not a series of isolated incidents, but an ongoing pattern of intimidation and unjustified violence that undermines our fundamental right to safety, security, and dignity. The people of Taybeh, like all people everywhere, seek only to live peacefully on their land, free from fear and repeated attacks.

We therefore call upon the international community, friendly nations, human rights organizations, churches, and humanitarian institutions to assume their moral and legal responsibilities and take meaningful action to stop the escalating attacks against Taybeh and its residents.

Taybeh, a town of profound historical and spiritual significance, known as the only remaining entirely Christian Palestinian town in the West Bank and home to the descendants of the first believers in Christ's message, deserves protection, dignity, and peace-not fear, intimidation, and recurring violence.

Our message is simple and clear: we want to live in peace. We want our children to grow up in safety and our families to enjoy a normal life, just like people everywhere else in the world. This is a basic human right that must be respected and protected.