The patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem expressed their “profound concern and unwavering condemnation” after Israeli settlers again attacked the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank.
Newsroom (30/07/2025, Gaudium Press )The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem issued a forceful condemnation of a recent violent attack on the Christian town of Taybeh in the West Bank, decrying it as part of a disturbing pattern of settler aggression targeting peaceful communities. The assault, which saw vehicles set ablaze and hateful graffiti defacing the town, was described as a deliberate act of intimidation against a faithful community deeply rooted in the land of Christ.
In a strongly worded statement, the religious leaders detailed a series of escalating incidents, including a prior settler incursion into Taybeh involving livestock herding, masked individuals—some armed or on horseback—roaming the streets, and fires threatening the town’s historic church, a symbol of Christianity’s enduring presence in the Holy Land. “This grievous incident is not isolated,” the statement read, pointing to a broader trend of settler violence targeting West Bank homes, sacred spaces, and cultural heritage.
The leaders expressed dismay at official Israeli police statements that downplayed the attack as mere property damage, arguing that such characterizations obscure the systematic intimidation and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the right to religious freedom. They also criticized disinformation campaigns by settler-affiliated groups, which have sought to discredit victims and undermine international solidarity following diplomatic visits to Taybeh. These efforts, the statement noted, aim to deflect scrutiny and “sanitize criminal conduct” in violation of international norms.
Highlighting a “prevailing climate of impunity,” the Patriarchs warned that the lack of accountability threatens not only Christian communities but also the moral and legal foundations essential for peace and justice. They called on the Israeli government to take decisive action: holding perpetrators accountable, ensuring consistent protection for vulnerable communities like Taybeh, and upholding obligations under international law to guarantee equality before the law.
The statement concluded with gratitude for diplomatic missions and international partners who have visited Taybeh to show solidarity, urging continued support amid ongoing aggression. “The aggression persists—and so must our united vigilance and prayer for peace rooted in justice,” the leaders declared, reaffirming their commitment to coexistence in the land of the Resurrection.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
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