West Bank Christian Village Faces Exodus Amid Settler Violence

Father Bashar Fawadleh, the parish priest of Taybeh, has reported that persistent attacks by Israeli settlers are driving residents to leave the West Bank’s only remaining Christian village. According to Father Fawadleh, 16 families and numerous individuals have departed over the last three years, resulting in a 10 percent decline in the village's population of 1,200. Residents report incidents of vandalism, arson targeting vehicles and church property, and the destruction of olive groves.

In August, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) designated Taybeh a “closed military zone,” citing a need to protect residents following regional violence. While the IDF maintains the measure is for security, Father Fawadleh stated that the restrictions severely hinder the village's economic life and the daily movement of its inhabitants. Church leaders in Jerusalem have condemned the settler actions and the rhetoric of some Jewish leaders who claim ownership of the land, labeling such views as dangerous and unacceptable. Father Fawadleh emphasized that the community is seeking basic human rights and the ability to access their land without fear.