Jerusalem/West Bank — July 28, 2025
Israeli settlers launched an overnight attack against Taybeh, torching cars and spray-painting racist graffiti onto homes and properties before using guns to burn down some buildings, according to Palestinian Authority reports on Monday. Authorities described this incident as an attempted “terror attack” targeting one of West Bank’s sole Christian-majority villages (Reuters +6; Arab News =6)
The Palestinian Authority stated on their official social media channels that individuals described as “colonial settlers” set fire to at least two vehicles before leaving threatening Hebrew messages emblazoned on houses, heightening alarm among local residents. BSS (British Short Stories Service) +2 Arab News (+2).
Residents of Taybeh near Ramallah report an upsurge in settler attacks since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. Father Jack Abed, Taybeh’s local priest, reported numerous instances of vandalism and arson that were filed through police reports but resulted in no action from authorities; Abed also accused them of turning a blind eye to rising violence within their community. JUNC +15 WUNC +15 WESA = 15
Church leaders of the Holy Land took note of this attack, including Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Rome who condemned and demanded accountability for acts such as arson fire near Byzantine churches and cemeteries that highlighted Christian communities’ vulnerability in West Bank (AP News/Reuters).
Taybeh’s Experience Fits into a Broader Pattern of Escalated Violence Taybeh’s ordeal fits into an emerging trend of “price tag” attacks by extremist settlers reacting against government action or perceived Palestinian resistance by employing arson, property destruction, hate speech and threats as methods of retribution, according to Wikipedia and AP News reports. These campaigns often include arson attacks against public property as well as arson-bomb threats or hate speech against local officials, property destruction campaigns that include arson attacks or hate speech against their participants as part of this trend of rising violence. Wiki and AP News both provide coverage.
Since October 2023, Israeli rights groups and UN agencies have reported over one thousand Palestinian deaths due to settler-related incidents across the West Bank; including civilians and U.S. citizens (Wikipedia +6
Reuters).
Recently, the murder of 20-year-old Palestinian American Saif Musallet led U.S. lawmakers to demand a full probe into settler violence, according to TIME +2 and Reuters +2.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited Taybeh following the church fire earlier this month and condemned it as an act of terror, calling on Israeli authorities to prosecute those responsible. mes WUNC
Even under international scrutiny, locals report persistent delays and inaction from Israeli law enforcement authorities.
Critics contend that the lack of accountability has emboldened extremist settlers, further distancing Palestinian communities such as their Christians in West Bank (see Wikipedia + 15 and AP News +15 for an analysis)
Implications and Outlook
Taybeh stands as both an historic symbol and future hope for West Bank Christians. Repetitive attacks on sacred spaces and civilian infrastructure not only threaten lives but also diminish cultural diversity in the area.
Human rights observers warn of a possible increase in militarization akin to Gaza due to systemic failure to deter or punish perpetrators, combined with militarized conditions and settler expansion, without proactive steps taken against perpetrators – an outcome they warn could become entrenched without effective response measures taken immediately by either side. TIME/Wikipedia are both useful sources for understanding this topic further.
Father Abed and others have called for international intervention to preserve Taybeh’s Christian character and prevent further displacement of its residents.