Jerusalem Patriarch Condemns Settler Attacks on West Bank Christian Sites

Christian leaders, including Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, have accused Israeli settlers of attacking sacred Christian sites in the West Bank, raising concerns about the safety of the region's Christian community. During a visit to Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Theophilos reported that settlers set fire near a 5th-century church and cemetery last week, describing the acts as a deliberate threat to both the local community and its religious heritage. He also noted attacks on homes and criticized the Israeli police for failing to respond to emergency calls, urging an immediate investigation into the unpunished violence.

Israel’s government, which has previously condemned civilian violence and vigilantism, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The visit to Taybeh included prayers at the damaged St. George Church, where clerics met with residents who expressed growing fears. Rights groups like B’Tselem report a surge in settler violence since Israel’s war with Hamas began in 2023, while Palestinian attacks have also claimed Israeli lives, prompting intensified military raids.

Cardinal Pizzaballa highlighted the risk of Christian emigration due to the ongoing violence, noting the difficulty of fostering hope among the youth. Approximately 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in Jerusalem and the West Bank, home to key religious sites like Bethlehem. The region, captured by Israel in 1967, hosts about 700,000 settlers among 2.7 million Palestinians, who seek these territories for a future state. [Reuters]