Tajbeh, the last fully Christian town in Palestine, has been subjected to attacks and intimidation by Israeli settlers for months.
Residents
fear that the pressure will force more families to leave their homes
and land. The village, located east of Ramallah in the West Bank, is
identified with the biblical Ephraim.
According to tradition, Jesus and his disciples found refuge there. Recently, there have been repeated incursions onto private properties and farmland. On August 5, settlers entered the property of a family belonging to the parish, destroyed the fence, and brought a flock of sheep onto the land. Such actions are systematic in nature and are intended to instill fear and force Palestinians to leave their land. There have also been instances of arson, destruction of fields, roadblocks, and restrictions on freedom of movement.
“We feel forgotten; we feel alone,” he emphasizes, appealing to the international community for concrete protection of the civilian population and political action that will put an end to the violence. Despite the difficult situation, the Christians of Tajbeh are striving to remain united. Communities of various rites support families and those most in need; they also collaborate with international organizations, diplomatic missions, and the media to make the world aware of their situation. Tajbeh is an important symbol of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and a testimony to their faith.
en.news