Settler attacks spark fear in Taybeh, West Bank's last all‑Christian town

Historic Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian town located in the occupied West Bank, was the focus of coordinated attacks by Israeli settlers on Thursday, according to local authorities and eyewitnesses. The assaults, which began in the early evening, involved stone‑throwing, the vandalism of private homes and businesses, and attempts to set fire to the town’s historic church and nearby agricultural fields. Police forces arrived on the scene within hours, detaining several individuals and opening criminal investigations into the incidents. Taybeh, known for its centuries‑old Christian heritage and its role as a cultural and tourism hub, suffered damage to several structures, though no fatalities were reported.

The attacks come amid a broader pattern of settler‑related violence in the West Bank, which Israeli and Palestinian officials have repeatedly highlighted as a source of heightened tension in the region. Palestinian leaders condemned the actions as an attempt to intimidate the Christian minority and disrupt the town’s social fabric, while Israeli authorities pledged to hold those responsible accountable and to increase security patrols in the area. International observers have called for an impartial inquiry, emphasizing the need to protect religious sites and civilian populations under occupation. The incident underscores the fragile security situation in the West Bank and the ongoing challenges faced by minority communities in the contested territory.