Israel military closes Palestinian Christian village Taybeh to halt settler attacks
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Israel’s military on Sunday closed the West Bank village of Taybeh to nonresidents, aiming to stop a surge in settler attacks on Palestinians. The order applies only to Israelis, with soldiers dispatched to disperse gatherings and detain suspects. The closure comes amid growing international sanctions on settler groups and a UN inquiry finding Israeli authorities directly involved in the violence.
The Closure Order
The Israeli military announced Sunday that Taybeh was designated a closed military zone, prohibiting entry to Israeli citizens. Soldiers are ordered to disperse any gatherings of Israelis and detain those suspected of violating the order. The military said the measure was a response to 'violent attacks by Israelis in the region.' The order does not restrict Palestinian residents or visitors.
Settler Attacks and International Pressure
In June, settlers obstructed Palestinian firefighters battling a large blaze near Taybeh, part of what a local priest called an 'ongoing pattern of intimidation and violence.' A UN inquiry this week found Israeli authorities directly involved in settler attacks that have killed, injured, and displaced Palestinians in the West Bank. Some Western countries have imposed sanctions on settler groups over the violence.
Taybeh’s Christian Heritage
Taybeh is one of the few remaining Christian villages in the West Bank, with a population of around 1,300. It is home to the Taybeh Brewing Co., known as the Middle East’s oldest microbrewery. The village was visited last year by the Greek Orthodox patriarch and the Roman Catholic cardinal of Jerusalem. About 50,000 Palestinian Christians live in the West Bank and Jerusalem, part of a community dating back to antiquity.
What's Next
The Israeli military has not said how long Taybeh will remain a closed zone. It remains unclear whether the order will curb settler violence or merely shift it to other Palestinian communities.
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Israel military closes Palestinian Christian village Taybeh to halt settler attacks
