TAYBEH, West Bank — July 28, 2025
The Holy Land Christian Forum has strongly condemned a pre-dawn terrorist attack on the historic Christian town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, in which several vehicles were torched and hate-filled graffiti in Hebrew was scrawled on walls. The incident marks the second such assault on the town in less than a month, following an earlier arson attack near the ancient Church of St. George.

According to a statement obtained by Milhilard.org, the attack occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. when masked individuals stormed Taybeh, set fire to multiple cars, and left behind threatening Hebrew-language graffiti. “We thank God that, as in the previous incident, no one was injured. While fields were burned last time, this time it was cars,” the statement read.

Wadie Abu Nassar, coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, said the group had circulated the statement to numerous local and international entities, including journalists, diplomats, and religious leaders. “This incident has triggered concern among foreign diplomats. The German ambassador in Tel Aviv and others have approached Israeli authorities demanding an explanation. Unfortunately, the response from the Israeli side has thus far been lacking,” he told Milhilard.org.

Abu Nassar emphasized the broader implications of the attack: “This isn’t just about Taybeh. These acts are dangerous for everyone. It’s imperative that those involved, including the rabbis who incite them, be held accountable. The time to stop them is now, not tomorrow.”

Residents of the Greek Orthodox housing complex where the attack occurred also voiced alarm. David Azar, a local resident, described the incident as both “shocking and frightening.” Two of the torched vehicles belonged to his brother and a neighbor. “The attack occurred inside our residential complex, a place we considered safe. This shows how deep these threats are reaching,” Azar said.

He added that residents are working with church officials and other parties to assess the consequences of the attack and develop protective measures. Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governor Dr. Laila Ghannam visited the site of the attack earlier today to inspect the damage and speak with residents.

In its statement, the Forum noted that the Taybeh attack is part of a broader surge in settler violence across the West Bank, sometimes even targeting Israeli security personnel. “This climate of impunity emboldens extremists,” the statement warned.

The Forum issued three key demands:

1. A thorough investigation conducted by an impartial international body.
2. Prosecution of those responsible, with the assertion that apologies are insufficient to prevent future attacks.
3. Accountability not only for perpetrators, but also for individuals and institutions that incite such violence.

Despite the escalation, the Forum urged Christians and all people of goodwill to remain hopeful and committed to peace. “We are confident that the majority of Holy Land residents, of all religions, wish to live in peace and dignity,” the statement affirmed. “But time is of the essence. These attacks not only instill fear among Palestinian Christians but also erode faith in the possibility of reconciliation and peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”

Azar concluded with a plea: “We hope these repeated attacks on civilians come to an end and that serious measures are taken to protect us and ensure our safety.”

Taybeh, one of the few entirely Christian towns in the West Bank, is revered for its ancient churches, local brewery, and vibrant community life. Its vulnerability to extremist violence has raised alarm among Christian leaders both locally and abroad.