Tajbeh, the last fully Christian town in Palestine, has been subjected to attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers for months.
Residents fear that the pressure will force more families to leave their homes and land. The village, located east of Ramallah in the West Bank, is identified with the biblical Ephraim. According to tradition, Jesus and his disciples found refuge there. Recently, there have been repeated incursions onto private properties and farmland. On August 5, settlers entered the property of a family belonging to the parish, destroyed the fence, and brought a flock of sheep onto the land. Such actions are systematic in nature and are intended to instill fear and force Palestinians to leave their land. There have also been instances of arson, destruction of fields, roadblocks, and restrictions on freedom of movement. “We feel forgotten; we feel alone,” he emphasizes, appealing to the international community for concrete protection of the civilian population and political action that will put an end to the violence. Despite the difficult situation, the Christians of Tajbeh are striving to remain united. Communities of various rites support families and those most in need; they also collaborate with international organizations, diplomatic missions, and the media to make the world aware of their situation. Tajbeh is an important symbol of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and a testimony to their faith.
Papillon
Taybeh nesmie upadnúť do zabudnutia. Taybeh, posledné výlučne kresťanské mesto v Palestíne, už mesiace čelí útokom izraelských osadníkov. 5. augusta osadníci vnikli na pozemok kresťanskej rodiny, ktorá patrí k miestnej farnosti, preťali plot a vpustili stádo oviec na pozemok tejto rodiny. Tento incident nasleduje po správach o požiaroch, poškodení poľnohospodárskej pôdy a opakovaných vniknutiach na súkromný majetok. V Taybehu, mestečku na Západnom brehu, ktoré sa tradične stotožňuje s biblickým Efraimom, zostáva približne 1 200 kresťanov. Farár Bashar Fawadleh vyzval medzinárodné spoločenstvo, aby venovalo tejto situácii pozornosť: „Nezabudnite na Taybeh! Taybeh nesmie zmiznúť v tichu.“
Taybeh não pode desaparecer no silêncio. Taybeh, a última localidade inteiramente cristã da Palestina, vem sofrendo há meses ataques por parte de colonos israelitas. No dia 5 de agosto, colonos entraram na propriedade de uma família cristã pertencente à paróquia local, cortaram a vedação e introduziram um rebanho de ovelhas nos terrenos da família. Este incidente surge na sequência de relatos de incêndios, danos em terras agrícolas e incursões repetidas em propriedades privadas. Cerca de 1 200 cristãos permanecem em Taybeh, uma cidade da Cisjordânia tradicionalmente identificada com a bíblica Efraim. O pároco Bashar Fawadleh apelou à atenção internacional: «Não se esqueçam de Taybeh! Taybeh não pode desaparecer no silêncio.»
Taybeh nie może zniknąć w ciszy. Taybeh, ostatnie w całości chrześcijańskie miasteczko w Palestynie, od miesięcy jest przedmiotem ataków ze strony izraelskich osadników. 5 sierpnia osadnicy wtargnęli na teren należący do chrześcijańskiej rodziny, która jest członkiem lokalnej parafii, przecięli ogrodzenie i wpuścili stado owiec na ziemię tej rodziny. Incydent ten jest kolejnym z serii doniesień o podpalaniach, zniszczeniach pól uprawnych oraz powtarzających się wtargnięciach na teren prywatny. W Taybeh, mieście na Zachodnim Brzegu tradycyjnie utożsamianym z biblijnym Efraimem, pozostało około 1200 chrześcijan. Proboszcz Bashar Fawadleh zaapelował o międzynarodową uwagę: „Nie zapomnijcie o Taybeh! Taybeh nie może zniknąć w ciszy”.
Taybeh non deve scomparire nel silenzio. Taybeh, l’ultima città interamente cristiana della Palestina, è vittima da mesi di attacchi da parte dei coloni israeliani. Il 5 agosto, alcuni coloni hanno fatto irruzione nella proprietà di una famiglia cristiana appartenente alla parrocchia locale, hanno tagliato la recinzione e hanno fatto entrare un gregge di pecore nel terreno della famiglia. L’incidente fa seguito a segnalazioni di incendi, danni ai terreni agricoli e ripetute incursioni in proprietà private. A Taybeh, una città della Cisgiordania tradizionalmente identificata con l’Efraim biblico, rimangono circa 1.200 cristiani. Il parroco Bashar Fawadleh ha lanciato un appello affinché la comunità internazionale presti attenzione alla situazione: «Non dimenticate Taybeh! Taybeh non deve scomparire nel silenzio».
Taybeh nem tűnhet el a csendbe. Taybeh, Palesztina utolsó teljes egészében keresztény városa, hónapok óta szenved az izraeli telepesek támadásaitól. Augusztus 5-én telepesek behatoltak a helyi plébániához tartozó keresztény család birtokára, átvágták a kerítést, és egy juhnyájat tereltek a család földjére. Az esetet tűzesetekről, mezőgazdasági területek megrongálásáról és ismételt magántulajdonba való behatolásokról szóló jelentések előzték meg. Körülbelül 1200 keresztény él még Taybehben, a Ciszjordániában fekvő városban, amelyet hagyományosan a bibliai Efraimmal azonosítanak. Bashar Fawadleh plébános nemzetközi figyelmet kért: „Ne felejtsétek el Taybehet! Taybeh nem tűnhet el a csendbe.”
Taybeh darf nicht in der Stille untergehen. Taybeh, die letzte vollständig christliche Stadt in Palästina, leidet seit Monaten unter Angriffen israelischer Siedler. Am 5. August drangen Siedler auf das Grundstück einer christlichen Familie ein, die der örtlichen Kirchengemeinde angehört, durchtrennten den Zaun und trieben eine Schafherde auf das Land der Familie. Dieser Vorfall folgt auf Berichte über Brandstiftungen, Schäden an landwirtschaftlichen Flächen und wiederholte Übergriffe auf Privatgrundstücke. In Taybeh, einer Stadt im Westjordanland, die traditionell mit dem biblischen Ephraim gleichgesetzt wird, leben noch rund 1.200 Christen. Der Pfarrer Bashar Fawadleh hat um internationale Aufmerksamkeit gebeten: „Vergessen Sie Taybeh nicht! Taybeh darf nicht in der Stille verschwinden.“
Taybeh no debe quedar relegada al silencio. Taybeh, la última localidad totalmente cristiana de Palestina, lleva meses sufriendo ataques por parte de colonos israelíes. El 5 de agosto, unos colonos entraron en la propiedad de una familia cristiana perteneciente a la parroquia local, cortaron la valla y llevaron un rebaño de ovejas a las tierras de la familia. Este incidente se suma a las denuncias de incendios, daños en tierras de cultivo y repetidas incursiones en propiedades privadas. En Taybeh, una localidad de Cisjordania identificada tradicionalmente con el Efraín bíblico, permanecen unos 1.200 cristianos. El párroco Bashar Fawadleh ha hecho un llamamiento a la atención internacional: «¡No se olviden de Taybeh! Taybeh no debe desaparecer en el silencio».
Taybeh ne doit pas sombrer dans le silence. Taybeh, la dernière ville entièrement chrétienne de Palestine, subit depuis des mois les attaques de colons israéliens. Le 5 août, des colons ont pénétré sur la propriété d’une famille chrétienne appartenant à la paroisse locale, ont sectionné la clôture et ont fait entrer un troupeau de moutons sur les terres de cette famille. Cet incident fait suite à des signalements d’incendies, de dégâts causés aux terres agricoles et d’incursions répétées sur des propriétés privées. Environ 1 200 chrétiens vivent encore à Taybeh, une ville de Cisjordanie traditionnellement identifiée à l’Éphraïm biblique. Le curé de la paroisse, Bashar Fawadleh, a lancé un appel à l’attention de la communauté internationale : « N’oubliez pas Taybeh ! Taybeh ne doit pas sombrer dans le silence. »
Taybeh must not vanish into silence. Taybeh, the last fully Christian town in Palestine, is suffering months of attacks by Israeli settlers. On August 5, settlers entered the property of a Christian family belonging to the local parish, cut through the fence and brought a flock of sheep onto the family’s land. The incident follows reports of fires, damage to farmland and repeated incursions onto private property. Around 1,200 Christians remain in Taybeh, a West Bank town traditionally identified with the biblical Ephraim. Parish priest Bashar Fawadleh has appealed for international attention: “Do not forget Taybeh! Taybeh must not vanish into silence.”
Cisgiordania, i cristiani di Taybeh: abbandonati davanti alla violenza dei coloni
Gli attacchi israeliani sono ricorrenti a Taybeh, l'ultimo villaggio cristiano in Palestina, indicato come Efraim nella Bibbia. Il timore è che le famiglie saranno costrette ad abbandonare la propria terra. Padre Bashar Fawadleh, parroco di Cristo Redentore: "Vogliamo vivere in pace, giustizia e dignità"
Cisgiordania, i cristiani di Taybeh: abbandonati …
“Non dimenticate Taybeh! Taybeh non deve scomparire nel silenzio”. È il grido d'allarme lanciato, ancora una volta, dal parroco, padre Bashar Fawadleh, che descrive la difficile situazione a est di Ramallah, in Cisgiordania, dove si trova l'ultimo villaggio interamente cristiano della Palestina. A Taybeh, identificata nella Bibbia come Efraim, si dice che Gesù e i suoi apostoli abbiano trovato rifugio. La comunità locale si trova ora ad affrontare atti di intimidazione da parte dei coloni israeliani e l'occupazione di proprietà private, come terreni agricoli e aree residenziali all'interno del villaggio.
Domenica scorsa, l'esercito israeliano ha dichiarato il villaggio chiuso ai non residenti, impedendo agli israeliani di accedervi. Tale misura non si applica ai palestinesi, al fine di "proteggere i cittadini della regione", in seguito a "diversi attacchi violenti commessi da israeliani nella zona", ha dichiarato un portavoce delle forze armate.
In un'intervista ai media vaticani, padre Fawadleh, sacerdote latino della parrocchia di Cristo Redentore, esorta la comunità internazionale ad agire, chiedendo il sostegno della Chiesa universale attraverso la preghiera.
West Bank Christians feel ‘forgotten’ over settler violence
West Bank Christians feel ‘forgotten’ over …
Settler attacks have become a recurring reality in Taybeh, Palestine’s last remaining all-Christian village. Father Bashar Fawadleh, who has served as the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer for the past five years, fears that local families will be forced to abandon their land.
"Do not forget Taybeh! Taybeh must not vanish into silence." That's the urgent plea issued by Father Bashar Fawadleh, describing the harsh reality in Palestine's last entirely Christian village.
In Taybeh—mentioned in the Bible under the name Ephraim, where Jesus and his disciples are said to have sought refuge—the local community is now facing systematic intimidation, property seizures, and encroaching settlements.
This Sunday, the Israeli military declared Taybeh closed to non-residents, effectively blocking Israelis from entering the Palestinian town. According to a military spokesperson, the restriction applies solely to Israelis, not Palestinians, and was enacted to "protect residents in the area" following "several violent attacks by Israelis in the region."
In an interview with Vatican News, the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer church called on the international community to take action and urged the global Church to offer prayers and support.
The following is an English translation of an interview conducted in French by Vatican News’ Myriam Sandouno.
Father Bashar, Taybeh continues to suffer from incursions by Israeli settlers. Last Wednesday, settlers broke into a home belonging to a family from your parish. What exactly happened on August 5th?
Unfortunately, what we are witnessing right now is deeply alarming. The house you mentioned had just been prepared for its occupants to move in. However, over the span of several days, two settlers broke into the property multiple times. They occupied the land and brought a flock of sheep right up to the house. The settlers also cut through the fencing.
This is not an isolated incident; it is a deliberate strategy of harassment designed to create a climate of fear and pressure Palestinian families into leaving their land. We give thanks to God that the family is physically safe.
The family wasn't home during the latest intrusion, but this must be a gruelling ordeal both physically and psychologically.
Imagine preparing a home for your family, only to find out that strangers have been trespassing and occupying it at will. That is the reality we are living here in Taybeh. In fact, as I speak to you right now, those same settlers have returned to pitch tents on the property. It is an incredibly difficult situation to endure.
Have other families been affected by this violence in recent days?
Many families across the west, east, and south of Taybeh are suffering from this settler violence. As they always do, they have been setting fire to vacant land. Most recently, they torched a hillside southeast of the village. The Israeli settlers come to cause harm and occupy the land.
Over the last few months, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. Almost daily, we face incursions, attacks on private property, the destruction of farmland, road closures, travel restrictions, and relentless pressure on the population.
Do the people of Taybeh feel forgotten?
Yes. We feel forgotten, and we feel entirely alone. Legal options exist, but they are unfortunately very limited and rarely effective. That is why international presence and pressure are vital right now. We need concrete protection for civilians and genuine political will to bring an end to this violence.
We need help to sustain our lives here and to continue bearing witness to Jesus Christ and his disciples. Preserving the Christian presence here in Taybeh is a shared responsibility. Given everything that is happening, some residents are reaching a breaking point where they want to leave their land and abandon everything.
How does hope in Christ sustain those who choose to stay despite everything?
While there is no political solution in sight, there is something very special keeping us going: our hope in Jesus Christ and our faith in the Church. We urge the global Church to intensify its prayers for us and to support the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as well as the entire Holy Land. We firmly believe that prayer works miracles.
Do not forget Taybeh. I invite every Catholic diocese worldwide to speak out about the situation here, to talk about these Christian brothers and sisters who are living in terror. The birthplace of the Christian community must not vanish into silence. Together, we can preserve this living testament of faith. I must add that visits from diplomatic missions and from Cardinal Pizzaballa do reassure us and give us a vital sense of security.
How are the various Orthodox, Latin, Melkite, and Greek Catholic communities organizing to support the victims? Have these painful events strengthened Christian unity in any way?
Faced with this crisis, the Christian community stands completely united. The Church is walking alongside these families, supporting the most vulnerable, fostering solidarity among residents, and continuing to defend human dignity. We are also working closely with diplomatic representations, international organizations, and the media to ensure the reality of Taybeh is known and that our voices are not silenced.
Through your platform, I would like to appeal directly to Pope Leo XIV to intervene for this last Christian village in the West Bank, so that these settler attacks cease and the occupation of our land stops. We simply want to live in peace, with justice and dignity.
What does Taybeh symbolize for the Palestinian Christian community?
It is a vital, foundational symbol for everyone, especially as we prepare for the 2033 Jubilee, marking two millennia since Jesus Christ walked this earth. Taybeh stands on the front lines of preserving Christianity here in the Holy Land. Jesus chose to seek refuge in Taybeh before his passion, death, and resurrection. We must remain a living testament to Christianity and its enduring presence in the Holy Land. The world must stand with Taybeh.