Despite new settler attacks on Taybeh, Christians continue to hope
By Beatrice Guarrera
The attack—carried out by Israeli settlers—caused material damage but no injuries. Father Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of the Latin Church of Taybeh, visited the affected family soon after the incident.
“They thanked me and said they value the Church’s presence,” he explains. “But we need stronger support to safeguard our people and our land. Taybeh is the last Christian village in the area, and we need global cooperation to help it survive.”
From celebration to violence
The assault came the day after the opening of the parish’s Christmas events, attended by diplomats from eight countries linked historically to the Holy Land, as well as visitors from Ramallah, Jerusalem, and nearby towns. After midnight, settlers vandalised property and left graffiti on a private home. “These are the same messages used across the West Bank,” Father Fawadleh notes.
Despite the repeated incidents—six so far this year—the parish priest insists: “We remain here. We do not feel safe, but we continue with our daily life. We must continue celebrating Christmas.”
Hope amid fear
Each new attack increases anxiety and prompts some to consider leaving, the priest says. He hopes international attention and diplomatic engagement can support vulnerable communities east of Ramallah. “Our hope does not fade,” he adds. “It is the hope of the third day, of the empty tomb—the hope of the Resurrection.”
1,680 attacks since January
According to a recent UN OCHA report, 1,680 settler attacks have been documented since the start of the year in more than 270 Palestinian communities—an average of five per day. The olive harvest remains particularly affected, with 178 incidents recorded in October and November across 88 localities.
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