The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem have condemned the attack that a group of masked Israeli settlers launched on Saturday, October 17, against Taybeh, the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, during the olive harvest. Among those affected were local residents gathering their harvest and a European delegation that had traveled there as a sign of solidarity, including diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland, as well as local French authorities.
In their statement, released on Monday, October 19, the Christian leaders described the incident as an «atrocious attack» and warned that it is not an isolated event, but rather a situation of «large-scale terror» carried out by settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Among those assaulted was the mayor of the French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, Bernard Baudoux, who told the Reuters agency that he was violently attacked and knocked to the ground. «I am in a state of shock; they beat me up,» he told France 3.
According to reports on the incident, the 78-year-old mayor was struck with metal bars while the attackers pursued the group on quad bikes. During the assault, a window of the Belgian consul general’s vehicle was also broken. Among the delegation members was the Archbishop of Cambrai, Vincent Dollmann, who also reportedly received threats.
The patriarchs reject a religious ruling on Palestinian lands
The statement from the Churches of Jerusalem also refers to a ruling by Israeli rabbi Dov Lior, one of the best-known figures in religious Zionism, who on October 16 issued a ruling allowing Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian properties.
According to statements reported by OSV News, the rabbi justified this practice as a way of publicly asserting Jewish ownership of the land.
The patriarchs rejected this position, describing it as unfounded, troubling, dangerous, and «absolutely unacceptable.» They also expressed gratitude for the criticism voiced by other rabbis and Jewish representatives against the ruling.
According to The Times of Israel, Israeli police are investigating a complaint filed against Lior by the organization Rabbis for Human Rights.
Christian leaders denounce the impunity of the attackers
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attacks the same Saturday in a message posted on social media platform X, describing the violence as scandalous and shocking. Herzog specifically mentioned the events in Taybeh and called for an investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
Following the incidents, Israeli police carried out several arrests related to the attacks on the European delegation and the American photojournalist. Reports indicate that ten settlers were detained.
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem thanked the Israeli president’s condemnation but insisted on the need for authorities to take effective measures to prevent further attacks.
«These attacks continue due to the impunity enjoyed by those who commit them,» they stated in their declaration, calling for serious and consistent enforcement of the law.
They also urged the international community to intensify its efforts to protect the residents of Taybeh and other communities in the West Bank, as well as those who visit to express solidarity.
The Christian leaders reiterated their support for the local parishes and their commitment to preserving the Christian presence in this region of the Holy Land.
Taybeh, a Christian community subjected to recurrent attacks
This is not the first time Taybeh, located northeast of Ramallah, has suffered episodes of violence carried out by Israeli settlers.
In July 2025, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem denounced fires set near the village cemetery and the Church of St. George, whose ruins date back to the 5th century.
A month earlier, in June, attacks were reported against several homes, along with the placement of a sign bearing the message: «You have no future here.»
The recurrence of these incidents has heightened concerns about the continued presence of Christian families in the village. At the end of September, the Latin parish priest of Taybeh, Father Bashar Fawadleh, warned about the exodus of its inhabitants and the difficulties faced by those who wish to remain in the village.
The patriarchs, who had already visited Taybeh in 2025 to demand protection for its residents, have once again expressed their concern about the situation of the community. On this occasion, the violence also reached the European representatives who had come to the village to accompany families during the harvest.
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