The ancient ruins of the fifth century church of St. George Al-Kidl in Teibe are widely recognized as the last majority and Christian village on the occupied West Bank, and stand as a powerful reminder of the deep historical roots of Palestinian Christianity.
However, as reported by NBC News, this enduring legacy faces a serious threat amid a fierce wave of settler violence. Rights groups and church leaders told the outlet that Israeli government can often turn blind and even make them possible through systematic inaction, far from preventing such attacks.
“The settlers believe that everything belongs to them,” said Piabattista Pizzabara, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in an interview with NBC News. “Unfortunately, the (Israel) government appears to be silent, if not cooperative, as we have witnessed.
Although no injuries have been reported in the latest incidents near the church, such attacks form part of a wider pattern of settlers’ violence across the occupied West Bank, often fatal and rarely charged.
The United Nations recorded over 700 settler attacks on Palestinians in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 216 triples recorded in all of 2023.
“Since this government was formed, the pastor has said, ‘Please don’t enforce the laws regarding settlers,'” said Nadav Weiman, executive director of Breaking The Silence, an NGO that records abuse by Israeli military. “You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to watch the video from the West Bank, and you also see the settlers clearly. Many don’t wear masks anymore because they know nothing will happen.”
Last Friday, two Palestinians were killed by settlers in the village of Singil, north of Ramala. Among the victims was Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian-American from Florida who was visiting his family. The second victim, 23-year-old Mohammed al-Sharabi, was also fatally attacked, according to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.
The murder led to a statement from the US ambassador to urge a statement from “Israel” Mike Huckabee, a longtime supporter of settlers.
MNA