Skip to main content

German FM in Taybeh: Christians Among Most Persecuted; Attacks Are Acts of Terror

Taybeh – Sanad Sahelia - “Nabd El-Haya” - In a first-of-its-kind visit, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, on Thursday morning, August 1, 2025, in a show of solidarity with its residents following a series of attacks carried out by Israeli settlers targeting civilian property and Christian religious sites.

Statement on the attack perpetrated in the Christian town of Taybeh

We, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, express our profound concern and unwavering condemnation following yet another violent assault that targeted the West Bank Christian town of Taybeh. Several vehicles were set ablaze, and hateful graffiti was sprayed an unambiguous act of intimidation directed at a peaceful and faithful community rooted in the land of Christ.

Christian village in Palestine holding out under attacks by Israeli settlers

ACI Prensa Staff

After raising Lazarus from the dead, the Lord Jesus “no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim,” (Jn. 11:54). 

Ephraim is today known as Taybeh. In addition to being the only entirely Christian village in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, it is also known for its beer.

Settlers' Fires Threaten Taybeh’s Heritage: Priests Urge Immediate International Intervention

Taybeh - "Nabd ElHaya" – In a statement released today, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the priests of the Churches of Taybeh – Latin, Melkite Greek Catholic, and Greek Orthodox – issued a clear call to the world, expressing deep concern over the increasing and repeated attacks, documented by Israeli settlers, targeting the town's land, holy sites, and properties, amid official silence that exacerbates the sense of danger and lack of protection.

Fr. Romanelli: The international community’s silence is “as deadly as the weapons used in Gaza”

Gaza – "Nabd ElHaya" – In an unannounced visit, a delegation from the United Nations, including representatives of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), arrived at the Latin Parish of the Holy Family in the heart of the Gaza Strip. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the parish has become a refuge for nearly 500 displaced Christians who lost their homes and all their possessions.

Fr. Bashar Fawadleh Cries Out on Behalf of Palestinian Christians: “Come and See”

Boston – "Nabd ElHaya" - Sanad Sahelia - Standing in the Malitos Cultural Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Fr. Bashar Fawadleh—priest of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Church in Taybeh, the only entirely Christian town left in Palestine—carried the pain of his land, the voice of his people, and the witness of a faith deeply rooted in the land of the Resurrection.

Fr. Romanelli: Pope Leo XIV gives us new encouragement to persevere

Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church, tells Vatican News about the tough humanitarian situation in Gaza, but also expresses his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for “his words of peace.”

In an interview with Vatican News, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, described the atmosphere in the enclave at the moment.

𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲?

By: Sanad Sahelia

Amid the deep sorrow that engulfed the world following the passing of an extraordinary figure like Pope Francis, it was not surprising to hear some voices attacking him harshly, calling for a boycott of his funeral. Some even went so far as to mock and gloat, refusing to pray for mercy upon him. What makes this scene even more painful is that some of these stances come from people who claim to be advocates of freedom, love, and mercy — not of defamation and exclusion.

Criticism and celebration in Israel after death of Pope Francis

Many Israelis slammed the pontiff for his vocal support for Palestinians and took to social media to celebrate his death
The Vatican's announcement of Pope Francis' death on Monday morning was met with a mix of celebration and criticism in Israel, where politicians, pundits and social media users focused on the pontiff's condemnation of Israel amid its war on the Gaza Strip.