Orthodox patriarchs call for stop to Israeli settler violence in Taybeh in West Bank

(14 Jul 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taybeh, West Bank - 14 July 2025
1. Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theofilos III (left) and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa (right) during news conference
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Theofilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem:
“The Council of the Patriarchs and the Heads of the Churches calls for these radicals to be held accountable by the Israeli authorities who actually facilitate and enable their presence around Taybeh. Even in times of war, holy sites must be protected. We call for an immediate and transparent investigation on why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorred actions continue to go unpunished. The attacks by the hands of settlers against our community, who is living in peace, must stop, both here in Taybeh and elsewhere throughout the West Bank.”
3. Mid of attendees
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem:
“We sent an official letter to COGAT, an official letter to the authorities, Israeli authorities, in order to complain and to denounce what happened. I think it's important, the first thing we have to do. No reply yet. But we keep insisting, evangelically, in all the opportunities. And also what is not opportune to do, we will do, relentless - in order to raise our voice and to be heard and at least to get an answer about this situation. This is all what we are doing and of course we will be close to the village, and to follow, also to the media in order keep the attention very high. “
5. Attendees watching video of attack
STORYLINE:
Church leaders held a press conference on Monday following recent violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied-West Bank town of Taybeh, where suspects reportedly lit a fire near an ancient church earlier this month.

Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began, Palestinian residents in the West Bank have reported a major increase in settler violence alongside stepped up raids by the Israeli military.

"The Council of the Patriarchs and the Heads of the Churches calls for these radicals to be held accountable by the Israeli authorities who actually facilitate and enable their presence around Taybeh," said Theofilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. "Even in times of war, holy sites must be protected."

Church leaders demanded an immediate and transparent investigation into why Israeli police "failed" - they said - to respond to emergency calls by residents and why such acts continue to go unpunished.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa said an official letter of complaint was sent to COGAT, an Israeli defense body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs, and to the Israeli authorities.

However he added, they have not received any response yet.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, and Palestinians want all three territories for their future state.

The West Bank and east Jerusalem are home to some 3 million Palestinians who live under open-ended Israeli military rule. About 700,000 Jewish settlers live in those areas.

Palestinians and the international community say all settlements are illegal or illegitimate.

AP video shot by Fernanda Pesce

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