Jerusalem Church leaders condemn new attack on Christian town

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem in a July 29 statement called for the Israeli government to punish those who attacked a Christian town in the West Bank and to work harder to protect Christians after an "alarming pattern of settler violence" in recent weeks.

In Sunday's and Monday's attacks on the Christian town of Taybeh, located in the West Bank, "several vehicles were set ablaze and hateful graffiti was sprayed," said the statement, which was published online on Tuesday.

Taybeh is a small village located about nine miles northeast of Jerusalem. Most of its population is Christian.

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem is an ecumenical group of Christian leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

The attack, said the statement, was "an unambiguous act of intimidation directed at a peaceful and faithful community rooted in the land of Christ," and was "not an isolated occurrence."

Recently, said the statement, "settlers forcibly entered Taybeh, herding livestock into the heart of the town. Masked individuals — some armed, others on horseback — roamed the streets, spreading terror and threatening the sanctity of daily life. Fire reached the very walls of the ancient church, a living testament to the Christian faith’s enduring presence in the Holy Land."

The Israeli police, said the statement from the patriarchs, downplay the incidents "solely to property damage, omitting the broader context of systematic intimidation and abuse" by the Jewish population towards the Christian towns.

"These omissions distort the truth and fail to address violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the right to religious freedom and the protection of cultural heritage," said the statement.

The Israeli government, said the statement, must "act with moral clarity" and commit to holding accountable those who are responsible for these attacks, protect the people of Taybeh and other "vulnerable communities," and "uphold its obligations under international law and guarantee equality before the law."

Additionally, said the statement, there has been a "reactionary disinformation campaign by Israeli settler-affiliated groups, launched in response to recent diplomatic visits to Taybeh."

These reports, said the patriarchs, "seek to discredit victims and diminish the significance of international solidarity. Such distortions aim to deflect scrutiny and sanitize criminal conduct in violation of international norms."

"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," said the statement, saying there is a "lack of accountability" that is weakening the "moral and legal foundations that uphold peace and justice for all."

These diplomatic missions to Taybeh, said the statement, "offers hope and moral strength" to the residents there.

"We urge you to continue your support. The aggression persists — and so must our united vigilance and prayer for peace rooted in justice."

Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in Gaza, recently told Aid to the Church in Need that he was grateful for the support his community had received in light of the July 17 bombing.

“Firstly, I want to say thank you for the prayers and friendship of Aid to the Church in Need, which fill our hearts. And besides that, I know that ACN has plenty of initiatives to help the Christians in the Middle East, especially in these parts of the Holy Land, in the West Bank and in Gaza,” he told the organization.

Fr. Romanelli was wounded in the attack, which killed three.

Aid to the Church in need "provides pastoral and humanitarian assistance to the persecuted Church around the world," says its website.

Despite the barrage of attacks on Gaza, Romanelli said his community's faith remains strong.

“We are deeply affected by the facts of Thursday, 17 July, but we remain in the hands of the Lord,” he said.

“We continue to do good, protecting the children, the sick and the wounded.”