The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has denounced new attacks by settlers against Church lands in the Tayasir area, in the Tubas governorate (West Bank), and has demanded immediate intervention by the authorities to halt these actions and ensure the protection of its properties and the local population.
According to the official statement, the incidents have caused “serious effects” both on the Patriarchate’s lands and on the residents of the area, which led the Department of Ecclesiastical Properties to hold an urgent on-site meeting on April 23 with military authorities and civil administration officials.
In that context, the Church expressed its “total rejection” of what happened, describing it as “a clear violation of Church properties” and demanding immediate action that does not limit itself to resolving the specific incident, but ensures the future protection of these lands.
In parallel, the Patriarchate filed a formal complaint detailing “the attacks against local residents and the Patriarchate’s lands in several locations,” which has triggered initial responses from the authorities, including the identification of those responsible and the seizure of heavy machinery used in the destruction of the lands.
Far from settling for a one-off response, the Patriarchate has demanded concrete measures to prevent these incidents from recurring: “the immediate removal of all damage caused, the prevention of any future intrusion in these areas, and the provision of legal protection” for its lands. In this regard, it has been particularly clear in stating that the defense of ecclesiastical properties constitutes a “red line,” committing to take all necessary legal and administrative actions to “protect their sanctity, preserve their ecclesial identity, and defend their legitimate rights.”
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has been directly informed of the situation and has ordered the reinforcement of case monitoring and support for the affected communities “during these difficult circumstances.”
This episode is also set in a broader context of growing tension in the West Bank, where, as Pizzaballa himself has warned in recent interventions, “settler attacks on Palestinian villages occur almost every day,” in a scenario of progressive deterioration that exacerbates the vulnerability of local communities, including Christian ones.