Taybeh pastor: With settler raids now everywhere, the future is at risk
In the last Christian village in the West Bank, provocations by Israeli settlers are increasing in intensity. For Father Bashar, the atmosphere is one "of fear and intimidation”. Residents appeal to the authorities and NGOs to intervene "urgently”. A parish report documents the attacks that occurred in May.
Taybeh (AsiaNews) – Taybeh, in the West Bank, is home to about 1,500 inhabitants, with three churches, 30 km north of Jerusalem and east of Ramallah, known as the last Palestinian village inhabited entirely by Christians. Father Bashar Fawadleh, a local parish priest, spoke recently with AsiaNews.
“Residents,” he said, “have reported an escalation of settler attacks in town in recent days,” stressing how settlers on four-wheeled motorcycles (ATVs) and off-road vehicles are “now reaching (with impunity) the town centre, residential neighborhoods, and main streets.”
On Tuesday, the priest noted, “a group of settlers was seen in the northeastern area near the Orthodox Housing Road, where they reportedly blocked roads and disrupted construction work on a new home.” Yesterday morning, “at 9:45 am, they were again observed driving through different parts of the town, including the main street, reaching as far as the Church of St George (Al-Khadr).”
These repeated incursions in the heart of the village “have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, particularly among schoolchildren and local families, undermining the community’s sense of security,” Father Fawadleh said.
For this reason, he is making another appeal on behalf of a community exasperated by the ongoing violence, carried out with persistent impunity, if not open support, from the Israeli government and military.
“The people of Taybeh,” says Father Bashar, “call on relevant authorities and human rights organizations to intervene urgently, stop these activities, and ensure protection for the town's residents”.
Located in the West Bank, the village of 1,500 and three churches, north of Jerusalem and east of Ramallah, is famous as the last Palestinian town inhabited entirely by Christians of various denominations. More than 600 are Catholics who follow the Latin rite, while the others are Greek Orthodox and Greek Melkite Catholics.
In recent months, the area has been the scene of multiple attacks by Jewish settlers, with raids against homes, stolen livestock, and houses set on fire.
In the aftermath of one, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Greek Orthodox Primate, Theophilos III, visited together the village as a show of solidarity to the residents.
The long-running series of attacks and violence in Taybeh by armed settlers (with the support of the army and authorities) continued in May, as documented by a report prepared by the parish and sent to AsiaNews.
The document, explains Father Bashar, was prepared for embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions accredited in Jerusalem and Ramallah, as well as human rights NGOs, to show the widespread violations and abuses Christian residents are subjected on a daily basis.
The priest describes the settlers' violence and intimidation as “systematic”, and has continued “throughout the month of May”.
“These violations,” the pastor explained, “have intensified in both scale and severity, directly threatening the civilian population, undermining their livelihoods, and contributing to the gradual expansion of settler control over Palestinian land.”
“The documented incidents reflect a pattern of organized practices aimed at creating coercive conditions for Palestinian residents through intimidation, economic disruption, land seizure, and denial of access to agricultural areas, in clear violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
Some of the most critical incidents covered in the report include the establishment of a new outpost in the area of the Carmel roundabout and the Abu Faza community; the transfer of livestock, including 50 camels, along with sheep and cattle to the area; and the cutting off of the main water source, which puts the survival of residents and livestock at risk.
On 18 May, settlers entered a Palestinian home in western Taybeh, threatening people inside. This has caused "fear and panic" among families and neighbours, particularly women and children.
More generally, settlers continue to carry out raids to intimidate residents in residential neighbourhoods in the northern part of the village using small off-road vehicles and buggies, moving between civilian homes in a provocative and threatening manner.
On 19 May, a group of settlers attempted to set fire to Palestinian civilian vehicles. Local residents and youth intervened in time and prevented what could have become a serious disaster, with the flames threatening to spread to surrounding cars and homes.
Father Bashar explains that the ongoing violence and abuse have created insecurity and psychological distress among parishioners. Furthermore, access to livelihoods and income-generating activities has been reduced.
Attacks also prevent regular farming and preparing the land for planting and subsequent harvesting, denying people key sources of livelihood. Communities heavily dependent on livestock also are particularly at risk due to water shortages.
Finally, there is growing fear of forced displacement through a campaign of coercion and intimidation designed to force people to flee.
“The continuation of settler violence and coercive practices against the residents of Taybeh represents a serious and ongoing threat to civilian life, dignity, and stability,” reads the report by Father Bashar.
“The lack of effective accountability encourages further escalation and contributes to the erosion of fundamental rights guaranteed under international law. Urgent and sustained international action is required to ensure protection for civilians, accountability for violations, and preservation of the Palestinian population’s right to remain safely on their land.”
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26/01/2026 15:25
