Israeli army surrounds last Christian town in West Bank

Taybeh

The Israeli army (IDF) has declared the Christian town of Taybeh - the last entirely Christian community in the occupied West Bank - a closed military zone, prohibiting Israelis, foreign nationals, and journalists from entering. The army says this is to protect Taybeh from the illegal settlers that have been attacking the town for months.

Taybeh Mayor Suleiman Khoury said that restricting foreign visitors will have a serious economic impact because Taybeh is a popular religious and tourist destination with hotels, restraints and other business relying heavily on visitors.

But the ban also means international activists, human rights observers, and journalists will no longer be able to enter the village to document or respond to the daily attacks by Israeli settlers. Many observers have noted that the IDF tends to stand by and watch while 'settlers' have rampaged through Christian land and homes.

Ihab Hassan, a Palestinian Christian human rights advocate wrote: "This is a deeply alarming new measure and another step by the Israeli government and army toward the ethnic cleansing of the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank. They want to do it in silence - without witnesses, without journalists, and without the world noticing.

"Instead of arresting the settler terrorists responsible for these attacks, the authorities are banning the journalists and activists who document them from entering the village.

"If this continues, the survival of the last entirely Christian Palestinian village in the West Bank is at serious risk."

Father Bashar Fawadleh parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Church in Taybeh, said in a statement: "From the perspective of the church, we welcome any serious measure whose real purpose is to protect our people, their homes, their lands and their freedom to live in security and dignity.

"The declaration of Taybeh as a closed military zone for non-resident Israelis may be a positive step if it is genuinely and consistently enforced to prevent settlers from entering our lands and carrying out further attacks. What matters to us, however, is not the announcement itself, but what happens on the ground in the coming days and weeks.

"For months, our community has experienced repeated incursions into private and agricultural lands, intimidation of families and workers, fires, armed presence, the entry of settlers and their livestock onto private property and attempts to establish a permanent presence around the village. These incidents have created fear and are threatening the normal life and future of our Christian community.

"As a Church, we therefore say clearly: protection must mean protection. The responsibility cannot be placed on the victims by restricting their lives, access to their lands or freedom of movement. The restrictions must be directed against those who enter illegally, threaten residents, damage property or attempt to take control of land.

"We will judge this decision by its results: Are the attacks stopped? Can our farmers safely reach their land? Can families live in their homes without fear? Are attempts to establish new settler outposts around Taybeh prevented?

"Taybeh does not ask for privileges. We ask for the basic right to remain peacefully on our land and to preserve a Christian presence that has existed here for centuries.

"If this decision provides real and lasting protection, we will welcome it. But it must be implemented seriously and accompanied by accountability for those responsible for the attacks. Temporary measures are not enough. What Taybeh needs is lasting security, justice and the protection of its people and land.

"At this stage, we still do not have clear information about the details of how this decision will be implemented, how it will translate into practice on the ground, which areas will actually be covered by the measures, or how they will be enforced and monitored.

"For this reason, we cannot judge the decision solely by its announcement. We will assess it by the way it is implemented and by its actual impact on the lives, security, and freedom of movement of the people."

In an interview with Vatican News, Fr Fawadleh appealed for prayers from the global church.

Do not forget Taybeh. I invite every Catholic diocese worldwide to speak out about the situation here, to talk about these Christian brothers and sisters who are living in terror. The birthplace of the Christian community must not vanish into silence. Together, we can preserve this living testament of faith."

He said: "Through your platform, I would like to appeal directly to Pope Leo XIV to intervene for this last Christian village in the West Bank, so that these settler attacks cease and the occupation of our land stops. We simply want to live in peace, with justice and dignity.

"It is a vital, foundational symbol for everyone, especially as we prepare for the 2033 Jubilee, marking two millennia since Jesus Christ walked this earth. Taybeh stands on the front lines of preserving Christianity here in the Holy Land. Jesus chose to seek refuge in Taybeh before his passion, death, and resurrection. We must remain a living testament to Christianity and its enduring presence in the Holy Land. The world must stand with Taybeh."

LINKS

Two charities supporting the Christian community in Taybeh are:

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org

Friends of the Holy Land: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/