Taibeh: In yet another disturbing episode of rising settler violence in the West Bank, the Christian Palestinian village of Taibeh was subjected to a night-time assault by extremist Israeli settlers early Monday morning. The attack occurred despite recent high-profile visits aimed at deterring such violence, including those by Christian Church leaders and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
According to local sources, the attack began around 2:20 a.m. on July 28. A group of radical settlers, reportedly associated with the extremist “Hilltop Youth” and led by hardline religious figure Neria ben Pazi, entered the village under cover of darkness. They pelted homes with stones, attempted to set a residence ablaze, and vandalized properties with Hebrew graffiti. Three vehicles were also torched one belonging to a journalist and another to a municipal council member.
As residents rushed out to protect their homes and families, the assailants fled the scene. Shockingly, Israeli Defense Forces, tasked with civilian protection, arrived over an hour later, raising fresh questions about the state's willingness or failure to intervene.
This is not the first time Taibeh, a peaceful community known for its religious tolerance and cultural heritage, has suffered such attacks. But unlike previous incidents that targeted livestock and farmland, the violence is now increasingly aimed at people and homes, signaling a worrying escalation.
Local leaders and human rights groups are condemning the lack of accountability. A recent Israeli police report not only failed to name suspects but controversially claimed that settlers had helped extinguish fires, a narrative dismissed by residents as disinformation. The villagers are demanding an independent international investigation, citing deep distrust in Israeli institutional neutrality.
Criticism is mounting from abroad. German Ambassador Steffen Seibert stated, “Whether the target is a Christian village or a Muslim town, these extremist settlers may claim divine authority, but in truth, they are criminals driven by hate not faith.” The U.S. administration has also expressed concern, especially as the attack may have been a retaliatory message following its condemnations of settler violence.
Taibeh stands out as the only entirely Christian Palestinian village in the West Bank, and its peaceful presence offers a stark contrast to the aggression surrounding it. Church leaders have repeatedly called for non-violence, even when provoked, choosing instead to be a witness to peace and dignity under pressure.
Yet, their patience is being tested. The continued silence or inaction of the Israeli government, combined with the boldness of settler militias, is fueling fears of systematic displacement of Palestinians both Christian and Muslim. With tensions escalating and justice delayed, the world’s gaze now rests uneasily on Taibeh, waiting to see if true protection will ever reach its gates.