Israeli Colonists Attack Mikhmas Town Near Jerusalem, Church Leaders Denounce Settler Violence in Taybeh

The war around Gaza is being reported alongside a parallel escalation in the occupied West Bank, where WAFA says Israeli colonists attacked Mikhmas town northeast of Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.

“West Bank: In Taybeh, church leaders denounce settler attacks”

cath.ch

WAFA reports that the colonists “harassed and terrorized the inhabitants of the town and attacked their property,” and it describes further gathering by colonists at “the al-Asour Mount near Kafer Malik village, east of Ramallah.”

cath.ch

WAFA also frames the violence as routine and says it is “rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities,” listing “property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes.”

In the same WAFA update, the outlet says “Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.”

The West Bank violence is also tied to religious and diplomatic responses, with cath.ch describing a mobilization in Taybeh where church leaders traveled with diplomats representing “nearly 30 countries.”

Vatican News similarly describes an “alarming pattern of violence by Israeli settlers” targeting Taybeh and says the attack occurred “in the night from Sunday, July 27 to Monday, July 28.”

In Taybeh, church leaders and diplomats denounced settler attacks and described a pattern of intimidation that they say undermines security and threatens sacred sites.

cath.ch reports that the church leaders of “six Christian denominations” traveled to Taybeh after “several consecutive attacks by settlers on their lands and near the village homes,” and it says King Abdullah II of Jordan also spoke with a solidarity message read aloud.

Vatican News

Father Bashar Fawadleh, speaking on behalf of the village’s three priests, said: “Taybeh, the town where Jesus withdrew in his last days, has become a place where security is denied and holy sites are set on fire.”

The same account says settlers set fire to “fields near the homes, the cemetery, and the 5th-century Byzantine Church of Saint George,” and it describes threatening slogans directed at residents: “There is no future for you here.”

cath.ch says the leaders denounced a “systematic and targeted” trend and called for urgent action, stating “We are not bystanders.”

Vatican News, describing a separate Taybeh incident, says settlers “broke in” and that “Masked individuals, some armed, others on horseback, roamed the streets, sowing terror and threatening the sacred character of daily life.”

Both cath.ch and Vatican News place the question of accountability at the center of their accounts, arguing that Israeli authorities have not acted effectively to protect Taybeh.

“Français العربية Info Images Thursday , 23 April , 2026 Weather +18 ° C +21° +8° Ramallah Thursday, 23 Wednesday | | +21° | +8° ---|---|---|--- Friday | | +23° | +11° Saturday | | +24° | +12° Sunday | | +24° | +13° Monday | | +17° | +11° Tuesday | | +21° | +10° See 7-Day Forecast Menu Important News UPDATE: Palestinian injured by colonists' live ammunition and 30 others detained by Israeli forces in Ramallah-area town Cabinet renews call on international community to take effective action against intensified settler crimes Tubas and Northern Jordan Valley governor briefs European delegation on Israeli occupation violations in the governorate Colonists wantonly attack town near Jerusalem Prime Minister visits injured from al-Mughayyir following terrorist colonists’ attack on village Over 1,000 artists call for boycott of “Eurovision” over Israel’s participation Fifteen killed by colonists’ attacks since start of year, says Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission”

WAFA Agency

cath.ch says the tone of the churches is “unambiguous” and that they denounce the responsibility of Israeli authorities in “facilitation and tolerance” of the acts carried out by settlers around Taybeh.

It adds that the churches demand a “transparent investigation into the lack of intervention by Israeli security forces during the recent incidents,” and it states: “The attacks carried out by settlers against our peace-loving community must stop, both here in Taybeh and elsewhere in the West Bank.”

Vatican News similarly says the patriarchs and leaders of the Churches of Jerusalem condemn the attack and describe a “climate of impunity” that “undermines the rule of law and endangers peaceful coexistence on the land of the Resurrection.”

Vatican News also urges the Israeli government to bring perpetrators to justice and to ensure “effective and consistent protection for the Taybeh population and for all vulnerable communities.”

It further calls for respect for obligations under international law, “guaranteeing equality before the law,” and it quotes the churches’ criticism that “These omissions distort the truth and do not address violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the right to freedom of religion and the protection of cultural heritage.”

The church leaders’ message in cath.ch extends beyond condemnation, laying out demands they say are concrete and urgent, while also warning of long-term consequences for Christian life in the area.

cath.ch reports that the three priests called for “dismantling illegal outposts on Taybeh's lands, guaranteed access to olive groves, and effective protection of farmers.”

Vatican News

It frames the request as a commitment rather than a favor, quoting: “What we are asking for is not a privilege, but a commitment to truth and justice.”

The same account warns that “No end in sight” and says: “If we do nothing today, the text continued, we could wake up tomorrow facing churches with no faithful, schools with no students, and a land with no one to till it and pray there.”

It also includes Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s warning that “The temptation to emigrate is strong. Unlike previous conflicts, no end seems in sight.”

Vatican News similarly describes concern about a “disinformation campaign” and says it “aims to discredit the victims and minimize the importance of international solidarity.”

While WAFA’s account centers on attacks by Israeli colonists in the West Bank and describes them as routine and rarely prosecuted, cath.ch and Vatican News focus on Taybeh through the lens of religious leadership, sacred sites, and the legal and moral implications of impunity.

“This is another violent attack that targeted Taybeh in the West Bank”

Vatican News

WAFA says colonists “wantonly attacked Mikhmas town” and reports that colonists “harassed and terrorized” residents, while it lists a range of violence including “property and mosque arsons” and “stone-throwing.”

cath.ch

cath.ch, by contrast, describes a “rare and solemn mobilization” in Taybeh and quotes Father Bashar Fawadleh’s framing that “security is denied and holy sites are set on fire,” including the “5th-century Byzantine Church of Saint George.”

Vatican News emphasizes the “alarming pattern of violence by Israeli settlers” and describes “Masked individuals” roaming the streets and “sowing terror,” while it also stresses that the Israeli police statements omit broader violations, saying “These omissions distort the truth.”

The three outlets also differ in how they characterize the immediate threat: WAFA reports colonists gathering at “the al-Asour Mount near Kafer Malik village” and says villagers’ fears of an imminent attack, while cath.ch recounts recent incidents and the proximity of other killings.

Despite these differences, all three accounts converge on the idea that the violence is tied to intimidation and that protection and accountability are central demands, whether WAFA’s framing of prosecution gaps or the churches’ calls for “effective and consistent protection.”