Taybeh Village Fire Israeli Attack Media Silence: The Burning of Ancient Christian Heritage

In the rolling hills east of Ramallah stands Taybeh, a Palestinian village with roots stretching back 10,000 years. This ancient settlement, mentioned in the Bible as “Ephraim” where Jesus once sought refuge, is home to what many consider the world’s oldest continuous Christian community. Yet on June 26, 2025, this historic site became the target of violence when Israeli settlers reportedly set fires at the village entrance and launched attacks on homes. Despite the profound historical and religious significance of this site, Western mainstream media has remained largely silent about the incident, raising questions about selective coverage in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Attack on Taybeh: What We Know

According to multiple sources including the Palestinian Health Ministry and eyewitness accounts, on June 26, 2025, dozens of Israeli settlers initiated fires at the eastern entrance of Taybeh while simultaneously attacking the neighboring village of Kafr Malik. The assault on Kafr Malik resulted in three Palestinian deaths and seven injuries, with several homes and vehicles burned.

Father Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of the Latin Rite Church of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, confirmed the attack to multiple news outlets. “These days, we are living under the fire, barbarism and brutality of the settlers… and under the direct protection of the Israeli occupation army,” Father Bashar stated in communications sent to journalists.

The Israeli human rights group Yesh Din reported that more than 100 settlers participated in the assault on Kafr Malik, which occurred in the presence of Israeli forces. Video footage circulating online showed flames consuming homes and vehicles. Despite the severity of the attack, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that five Israeli suspects briefly detained by police were released without charges.

Taybeh: A Living Testament to Ancient Christian Heritage

Taybeh is considered the last remaining town in the West Bank inhabited entirely by Christians. The village is surrounded by four Israeli settlements: Rimonim, Ofra, Kawkab al-Sabah, and the evacuated Amona outpost, where Palestinians are still barred from entering.

The village’s Christian roots date back to the earliest days of Christianity. According to the Gospel of John (11:54), Jesus retreated to this area, then called Ephraim, before his passion. The continuous Christian presence in Taybeh for nearly two millennia makes it one of the most significant living Christian heritage sites in the Holy Land.

Beyond its religious significance, Taybeh is known for its economic contributions, including the famous Taybeh Brewery and Winery, the first brewery in Palestine. The village economy depends heavily on agriculture, particularly olive cultivation, with approximately 4,200 acres of agricultural land supporting olive groves, livestock, and seasonal crops.

Nadim Khoury, owner of the Taybeh Brewery and Winery, whose family has lived in Taybeh for over 700 years, told reporters that settler violence has grown in severity since the war in Gaza began. Settlers have increasingly encroached on Taybeh agricultural land with their sheep and cows, preventing farmers from reaching their crops and grazing livestock on planted fields.

Contextualizing the Conflict: Taybeh in the Broader Geopolitical Landscape

The attack on Taybeh is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in the West Bank following the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. According to Israeli news outlet Walla, October alone saw 36 separate settler attacks, including arson, olive tree destruction, and vandalism.

Father Bashar described a worsening crisis marked by settler land seizures, economic strangulation, and harassment. According to ACI MENA, settlers recently erected a new illegal outpost atop the ruins of a farmhouse on Taybeh’s eastern edge, in a critical agricultural zone spanning about 4,200 acres.

“Alongside these attacks, Israeli authorities have installed iron gates at the town’s entrances, severely disrupting residents’ access to work and essential services. These limitations, combined with mounting agricultural restrictions, have worsened unemployment and deepened the economic crisis, leading many to consider emigration,” Father Bashar explained.

The Media Silence: Analyzing Coverage Patterns

Despite the historical and religious significance of Taybeh and the severity of the attack, major Western media outlets have provided minimal coverage of the incident. This silence stands in stark contrast to the extensive coverage often given to other conflicts or attacks on heritage sites around the world.

This disparity in coverage raises important questions about media priorities and the factors that determine which stories receive attention. When heritage sites of similar historical significance are threatened in other regions, the international response and media coverage are often immediate and substantial.

Voices from Taybeh: The Human Cost of Violence

The impact of the attack and ongoing tensions extends beyond physical damage to deeply affect the Christian community that has maintained a continuous presence in Taybeh for nearly two millennia.

Father Johnny Abu Khalil echoed these concerns in statements to Middle East Eye, pointing to a June 21 arson attack targeting a resident’s car in the middle of the night. “It was an attack by burning a vehicle, but we fear that these attacks will escalate to include the burning of trees, houses and churches in the village,” Abu Khalil said. “The settler does not distinguish between a Palestinian Muslim and a Palestinian Christian.”

The ongoing violence has already driven families from their ancestral homes. “Since last October, more than 10 families have left Taybeh due to fear from ongoing violence and harassment,” said Father Bashar. This exodus threatens the continuity of one of the world’s oldest Christian communities.

International Response: Calls for Protection and Accountability

While mainstream media coverage has been limited, various international organizations, religious leaders, and human rights groups have responded to the attacks on Taybeh and surrounding villages.

Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official, stated on social media that “The government of Israel, with its behavior and decisions, is pushing the region to explode.” He called for urgent international intervention to protect Palestinians from escalating settler violence.

Preserving Heritage Amid Conflict: The Way Forward

The attack on Taybeh village represents more than just another incident in the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It threatens a living testament to 10,000 years of human history and one of the world’s oldest continuous Christian communities. The relative silence from major Western media outlets about this attack raises important questions about how we value and protect cultural heritage in conflict zones.

Father Bashar Basiel, another priest in Taybeh, expressed resilience amid the challenges: “We will win with hope. We are Palestinian Christians. We resist with our faith.” This spirit of determination speaks to the enduring strength of communities that have survived millennia of conflicts and challenges.

As global citizens concerned with the preservation of cultural heritage and religious freedom, we must advocate for:

• Balanced and comprehensive media coverage of attacks on cultural heritage sites regardless of their location
• International protection for historic communities caught in conflict zones
• Accountability for those who target cultural and religious sites
• Support for communities like Taybeh that represent irreplaceable living history
• Greater awareness of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of the Holy Land

The story of Taybeh deserves to be told not just as a political incident but as a threat to a shared human heritage that transcends modern conflicts. By breaking the silence surrounding attacks on such significant sites, we take the first step toward ensuring their preservation for future generations.