Residents of the West Bank village of Taybeh are worried due to restrictions and pressure
Taybeh, the West Bank's last entirely Christian village, has been deprived of its olive harvest after being declared a closed military zone, and local residents are living in great fear.
Taybeh, located in the West Bank and standing as the region's last entirely Christian village, has been declared a closed military zone by the Israeli army. Activists and residents state that they cannot access their basic livelihoods due to increasing restrictions and settler attacks, and that they are living in great fear.
Harvest Obstacle in Taybeh Village
With the start of the olive harvest season, residents of Taybeh, the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, have found themselves unable to harvest their olives for the fourth consecutive year.
Palestinian Christian activist Ihab Hassan stated that the majority of the lands are inaccessible, while Israeli settlers continue to move freely in the area.
Closed Military Zone Decision
Following an increase in settler attacks in August, the Israeli government declared Taybeh a closed military zone, a step that was claimed to be aimed at protecting the residents.
However, it is noted that these restrictions are applied only to Palestinians, while settlers continue to go wherever they wish.
Connection with the Outside World Severed
Taybeh's status as a closed military zone has severed the region's connection with the outside world by preventing pilgrims, journalists, and other outsiders from entering the village.
Bishop James Curry, the Holy Land Bishop of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, emphasized that this situation will lead to a loss of income derived from tourism and pilgrimages.
Attacks Experienced in the Region
Taybeh resident Bashir Kuna was forced to abandon his newly established home just a week after moving into it, while an oven belonging to Roland Basir was rendered non-functional due to attacks.
In Birzeit, a house belonging to the Abed family was demolished and the family's land was ravaged; activists note that the attacks continue regardless of sectarian distinctions.
Migration Threat and Calls
As a result of the pressure and attacks, it is stated that the villagers are living in great fear, with about 200 of the remaining 1,200 people considering migration.
Activist Ihab Hassan is trying to raise awareness through the Save West Bank Christians campaign, which emphasizes that Christian communities in the West Bank face an existential threat.