Latin Patriarchate condemns settler encroachments in West Bank, citing school destruction and urging protection of church lands and civilians.
Newsroom (28/04/2026 Gaudium Press) The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as Israeli settler “encroachments” on Church-owned land in the Tayasir and Hamam al-Maleh areas of the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank, declaring its “full rejection” of the actions.
In a press release, the Patriarchate detailed a recent “field meeting” with Israeli civil and military authorities to address what it called a serious incident. The Church submitted an “official and documented complaint,” including evidence of damage. Images circulating online reportedly show the destruction of a school serving 70 children.
The Patriarchate emphasized that “protecting Church endowment properties is a red line,” reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding both the sacred character of its lands and the Palestinian communities affected. It called for accountability, reparation for damages, and guarantees against future attacks.
According to the statement, Israeli authorities responded by initiating measures that include pursuing those responsible and seizing heavy machinery allegedly used in the destruction. The Patriarchate also reported that authorities carried out the “immediate removal of the encroachments.”
The incident comes amid a broader rise in settler violence in the West Bank following the outbreak of war with Iran. In recent weeks, schools have increasingly become targets. In the village of al-Mughayyir, two Palestinians—Aws Al-Naasan, 14, and Jihad Abu Naim, 32—were shot dead. In Umm al-Khair, south of Hebron, access to a local school has been obstructed with barbed wire, prompting children to stage five days of peaceful protests demanding their right to education.
At the same time, tensions between Israel and Christian communities in the Holy Land have escalated. Relations deteriorated after authorities barred the Patriarch and other Christian leaders from holding Palm Sunday services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, citing wartime restrictions.
Further controversy arose in southern Lebanon, where an Israeli Defence Forces soldier vandalised a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer. The soldier was subsequently removed from his post, and the statue was restored by Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers.
In an apparent effort to repair strained ties, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has appointed George Deek, a career diplomat and member of Jaffa’s Arab Christian community, as special envoy to the Christian world. Deek, Israel’s former representative to Azerbaijan, is the first Christian to hold ambassadorial rank.
The foreign ministry described the appointment as a step “intended to deepen Israel’s ties with Christian communities around the world.” Sa’ar stated that Israel “attaches great importance to its relations with the Christian world” and expressed confidence that Deek would help strengthen those connections.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
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