Israeli settlers attack Christian village in West Bank

As part of ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian Christian village. They set fire to a large agricultural plot in the village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, late Tuesday (June 9).
Although no casualties were reported in the attack, the violence by extremist settlers has intensified. Taybeh has become a frequent target since a new illegal Israeli settlement was recently built near the historic village.
Last year, extremist settlers set fire to the village’s historic ‘St. George’s Church’ and its adjacent cemetery. After that incident, even US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, known as a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements, issued a rare condemnation. However, they have continued to attack the village, ignoring criticism from the international community.
The historic village of Taybeh is about 3,000 years old and dates back to the Canaanite period. According to the 2017 census by the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics, it is home to about 1,340 people, most of whom are Christians. The area, known for its fertile pastures, is home to sheep, a major source of livelihood. But this natural abundance is now becoming their downfall, as settlers, with the direct support of the Israeli army, continue to encroach on the village’s land.
Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has been a long-standing problem, but it has become more serious since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. They are now carrying out almost daily attacks on Palestinian villages, including vandalism, arson, forced evictions and physical attacks with firearms.
A report by an independent international UN investigation commission released on Tuesday also highlighted the unprecedented and persistent violence by settlers in the West Bank. The report clearly alleges that the Israeli authorities are not only supporting these attacks on Palestinians, but also providing them with protection.
Srinivasan Muraleedharan, Chairman of the UN Commission on Palestine, said in a statement that the ongoing and daily attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians are unacceptable and must stop immediately. He noted that the violence has become institutionalized as a result of the financial support, logistical support and military protection provided by the Israeli government. According to the UN, the number of deaths from settler attacks has increased by 130 percent compared to 2015 and will continue to increase in 2026.
According to the Palestinian Authority, at least 50 Palestinians have been killed by settlers since October 2023, including 15 this year alone. The UN has called on the international community to exert concerted pressure on Israel to comply with international law and permanently dismantle these illegal settlements.

Source: Middle East Eye.