Taybeh: The Christian-majority town of Taybeh, northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, is preparing to pursue legal action in the US against Israeli occupiers over attacks on Palestinian residents, homes, land, and livelihoods, the town's mayor said.
According to Anadolu Agency, Taybeh Mayor Suleiman Khourieh stated that the municipality has initiated contacts with a specialized rights group in the US to file civil lawsuits in American courts against occupiers. The town aims to leverage the fact that many affected residents hold US citizenship or permanent residency, known as green cards.
"We are always trying, day and night, to curb these occupiers by all means," Khourieh said, emphasizing the intention to file lawsuits in the US due to the American citizenship or residency status of many landowners. "In recent days, we contacted an association in the US to file civil cases in American courts against the occupiers," he added.
Taybeh, known for its churches, religious, and archaeological sites, relies on agriculture and tourism for income. The town has experienced a surge in occupier attacks on homes, land, and livelihoods, with local and church officials warning that these attacks could drive more families and young people to emigrate.
Khourieh noted that previous attempts by Taybeh residents to seek justice through Israeli courts had failed to yield deterrent results or restore their rights. This has prompted the municipality to explore alternative legal avenues outside of Israel, particularly in the US.
The mayor outlined the various forms of attacks, including arson, theft, killings, and racist slogans and threats on homes, as well as assaults on livestock pens, horse stables, and the takeover of facilities. He highlighted the occupiers' prevention of access to 16,000 dunams of land.
Taybeh is encircled by illegal settlements and outposts, and residents say the attacks have become a daily reality, severely limiting access to agricultural and grazing land. The anticipated legal action seeks to halt the attacks and hold those responsible accountable, moving beyond political condemnations that have proved ineffective.
The municipality is currently compiling documents and evidence of the occupier attacks to support the lawsuits, in collaboration with a US rights group whose identity remains undisclosed. This legal move raises questions about the jurisdiction of US courts over acts committed outside the US and the potential role of plaintiffs' US citizenship or residency in such lawsuits.
Khourieh indicated that the lawsuits would target American Jews and associations supporting settlements. The US-based group coordinating with the municipality suggested there is a strong possibility that the lawsuits would be accepted, with the town actively preparing the necessary documentation and evidence.
The mayor contextualized this legal effort within broader international contacts made by the Taybeh municipality over the years, which he said have yet to yield tangible results. Despite visits and promises from ambassadors and ministers worldwide, no effective measures have been taken to curb the occupiers.
This initiative coincides with rising occupier violence in the West Bank and increasing international criticism of the Israeli government's inadequate prosecution of attackers. Khourieh reiterated Taybeh's commitment to finding ways to curb occupiers, noting that turning to US courts became necessary after previous efforts failed.
Recently, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the town of Turmus Ayya near Ramallah, meeting with Palestinians holding US citizenship and relatives of American citizens killed in occupier attacks. During his visit, Huckabee described the attacks as "an act of terrorism," calling for prosecution of the perpetrators and emphasizing the need for investigation and accountability.
The envoy's visit adds further weight to efforts by Palestinian-Americans to seek justice in US courts for attacks against Palestinians.