Residents of Taybeh, the last entirely Christian town in the West Bank, are facing an escalating campaign of settler incursions, property destruction, and movement restrictions. According to local residents and officials, the town has become the target of repeated attacks, resulting in the abandonment of local businesses and a climate of fear that has prompted some families to emigrate.
Escalation of Settler Incursions in Taybeh
The situation in Taybeh has deteriorated significantly over the past year, with residents reporting frequent incursions by armed settlers. Mayor Suleiman Khourieh estimates that seven settler outposts now surround the town, with several situated directly on municipal land. According to local accounts, these settlers have engaged in grazing livestock on private agricultural land, setting fires near the local church and cemetery, and damaging private property. In one instance, Roland Basir, who operated a stone quarry and concrete-block factory for over 20 years, reported that 30 to 40 settlers stormed his site in March, destroying electrical panels and office equipment while raising Israeli flags. Basir has since abandoned his business, which once employed 40 local residents.
State Response and Military Zone Orders
On August 9, the Israeli military declared Taybeh and the neighboring village of Rammun a closed military zone following a series of attacks. However, residents and local leaders expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the order. According to Madees Khoury, who manages the local brewery, the restriction has mainly served to isolate the town by barring visitors while failing to prevent settler access. Mayor Khourieh noted that the order has not resulted in any practical change on the ground, as settlers remain in established outposts. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously stated that outposts in Area B should be evacuated, enforcement remains limited, with Peace Now reporting that at least 21 of the roughly 390 illegal outposts in the West Bank are located in Area B.
Did You Know? Taybeh is historically identified as the biblical town of Ephraim, where Jesus is said to have stayed before traveling to Jerusalem, and it remains home to the ruins of the fifth-century Church of St George.
Economic and Social Impact
The ongoing instability has severely impacted the town’s economy and demographic stability. Madees Khoury reported that revenues for the Taybeh Brewery have declined by 80 percent since October 2023, attributed to the loss of tourism and increased export costs. According to Father Bashar Fawadleh, the priest of Christ the Redeemer Church, 15 families have left the town in the past two years, with many others choosing to emigrate to the United States or Europe. For those who remain, daily life is defined by constant vigilance; residents like Sandra Basir report keeping fire extinguishers on hand to protect their homes and describe the psychological toll on children who are no longer permitted to play outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the stone quarry business in Taybeh?
Roland Basir has abandoned his stone quarry and concrete-block factory after years of repeated attacks, including instances where workers were chased off at gunpoint and equipment was set on fire.
How has the closed military zone order affected Taybeh?
According to local residents and officials, the order has primarily isolated the town by restricting the movement of visitors while failing to remove or deter the settlers who continue to operate in the area.
Why are families leaving Taybeh?
Residents are leaving due to the cumulative impact of unchecked settler attacks, the loss of access to agricultural land and water resources, economic decline, and a pervasive sense of insecurity, according to Father Bashar Fawadleh.
Will the current security measures in Taybeh be sufficient to prevent further settler incursions in the coming months?
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