Since yesterday, groups of Israeli settlers have been repeatedly observed on Jabal Al-Massis, an area belonging to the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah. According to eyewitnesses and ongoing monitoring, their activities strongly suggest preparations for the establishment of a new illegal settlement outpost.
This development raises grave concern. It comes after months of escalating attacks against Taybeh, including arson, armed intimidation, assaults on farmers, and repeated attempts to prevent residents from accessing their agricultural lands.
Taybeh, the last entirely Christian Palestinian town in the West Bank, is facing an unprecedented and systematic threat to its land, its people, and its historic Christian presence.
We urgently call upon diplomats, consuls, ambassadors, the United Nations, churches around the world, and all international organizations to take immediate action by monitoring the situation on the ground, visiting the area, and using all available diplomatic means to prevent the establishment of a new illegal settlement outpost.
Failure to act now risks creating irreversible facts on the ground, further escalating tensions and undermining the prospects for peace, justice, and the preservation of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The time to act is now. Prevent another illegal outpost before it becomes a permanent reality.
Fr. Bashar Fawadleh
Christ the Redeemer Parish – Taybeh
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem