Israeli Christian village in the West Bank implores for assistance following attacks by Israeli settlers
In the occupied West Bank, a concerning increase in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians has led to mass displacement, with nearly 2,900 Palestinians forcibly displaced since the beginning of 2023, primarily from Area C under full Israeli control[1]. One such village experiencing the brunt of this violence is Taybeh, located in the West Bank.
Recent reports indicate that armed settlers have stormed Palestinian communities and homes, threatened residents at gunpoint, stolen livestock, established outposts near Palestinian homes and schools, and in some cases, Israeli military and police forces have been present or aware but have failed to intervene or protect Palestinians[1]. This volatile situation has led to fear and displacement among residents.
Daoud Khoury, the mayor of Taybeh, expressed his concerns about the worsening security situation, fearing it would lead to more local families emigrating abroad. Khoury, now in his seventies, has no plans to leave but feels powerless in the face of gradual settler expansion[2]. Qassam Muaddi, a young journalist, shares similar sentiments, feeling that the situation has reached a dead end and expressing frustration with the day's formalities[3].
The international community has criticized the Israeli authorities for their backing or lack of action in the face of settler attacks. The United Nations keeps a record of daily violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, with an average of four settler attacks per day in 2025[1]. The European Union's representative in the Palestinian Territories pointed out that these attacks are undermining the peace process[4].
In an attempt to address the violence, the local town hall and priests called for a meeting with residents affected by the violence. Khoury asked foreign guests for concrete ways to combat settler violence and protect Christians[5]. The Israeli authorities were called upon to conduct necessary investigations to find the perpetrators of the violence.
The situation in Taybeh reached a critical point on July 7, with a significant arson attack on the remains of the Church of Saint George, which date back to the 5th century[6]. Local elders expressed a desire for peace during Monday's procession.
As the international community continues to call for an immediate halt to violence, killings, and home demolitions in the West Bank, the future of Palestinian villages like Taybeh remains uncertain. Khoury, like many residents, hopes for concrete measures to combat settler violence and secure a future for the village and its people.
[1] https://www.unocha.org/west-bank-gaza/news/israeli-settler-violence-against-palestinians-increases-displacement-continues [2] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/07/israel-settler-violence-west-bank-village-taybeh.html [3] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59267855 [4] https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-representative-calls-for-investigation-into-israeli-settler-violence/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-settler-violence-against-palestinians-surges-un-says-2023-07-05/ [6] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59280091
- The escalating settler violence perpetrated by Israelis in the West Bank, such as the recent arson attack on the Church of Saint George in Taybeh, has generated international scrutiny and calls for action from the international community, including the United Nations and European Union.
- As the violence against Palestinians continues unabated, with an average of four settler attacks daily, the Mayor of Taybeh, Daoud Khoury, has called upon foreign guests and the Israeli authorities to provide concrete measures for combatting settler violence and securing the future of the village and its inhabitants.
- In the midst of a volatile political landscape characterized by war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, general-news, and politics, the plight of Palestinians living under occupation in areas such as Taybeh serves as a poignant reminder of the need for global intervention to uphold justice, protect human rights, and promote peaceful coexistence.
