West Bank Priest Urges Global Support for Christian Community Amid Military Zone Designation

Israel has declared Taybeh, the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank, a closed military zone, citing the need to address ongoing attacks by illegal settlers. This decision has raised concerns among local Christians, who fear it may force families to leave the area. Bishop James Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops’ Conference, expressed deep alarm at the move, emphasizing its impact on the community.

Fr. Firas Khoury, pastor of St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Zababdeh, another Christian town in the West Bank, described the situation in Taybeh as “very serious.” Over the past three years, settlers have attacked nearby villages, burning olive trees and fields belonging to Palestinians. These attacks, he said, are intended to terrorize the population and drive them from their homes, threatening the town’s long Christian heritage.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed 76 Palestinians so far this year. OCHA has documented an average of 6.6 settler attacks per day, resulting in casualties, property damage, or both—higher than any year on record. These figures underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Fr. Khoury emphasized the importance of Christians remaining in the Holy Land, noting that their presence keeps alive the story of Jesus in the land where he lived. He posed a critical question: “What if all the Christians flee from the Holy Land, if they could not face the terror? What would this land mean for Christians in the west? What would their story mean?” He argued that shrines and history alone cannot convey the story of the man from Nazareth.

The priest described his community as “beggars,” not in the sense of seeking financial aid, but in appealing for global solidarity and justice. He urged Christians around the world to stand with the Christian community in the Holy Land, to listen to their stories, and to visit. “We need you to stand for peace,” he said, “to listen to the Christian Church in the Holy Land.”

The situation in Taybeh highlights the urgent need for international attention and support for Christians in the region. As the conflict continues, the survival of these communities—and the spiritual legacy they represent—depends on global solidarity and a commitment to justice.

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