Jerusalem church leaders condemn Jewish extremist attack on Christian Palestinian town in West Bank

The heads of Jerusalem’s churches, including the Catholic and Greek Orthodox patriarchs, condemn an attack by Jewish extremists on the Palestinian Christian town of Taybeh overnight Monday, calling it “part of an alarming pattern of settler violence against West Bank communities, including their homes, sacred spaces, and ways of life.”

“We are gravely troubled by the prevailing climate of impunity, which undermines the rule of law and jeopardizes peaceful coexistence in the land of the Resurrection,” say the clergymen. “The lack of accountability not only threatens Christian communities but also weakens the moral and legal foundations that uphold peace and justice for all.”

They call on Israel to hold the perpetrators accountable, ensure the protection of Taybeh and other targeted communities, and uphold international law.

Footage from the incident showed several cars that went up in flames and Hebrew graffiti daubed onto the walls of a home in the Ramallah-area village.

Taybeh and its surroundings have experienced several bouts of settler violence in recent months, including an arson attack near an ancient Byzantine church.

The village — home to about 1,300 mostly Christian Palestinians, many holding US dual citizenship — is known for its brewery, the oldest in the Palestinian territories.

While the Trump administration hasn’t weighed in on most other settler attacks on Palestinians, the targeting of Christians has sparked US ire, and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee paid a solidarity visit to Taybeh this month.