Taybeh:Jerusalem Jerusalem's church leaders have expressed strong condemnation over recent attacks by Israeli occupiers in the occupied West Bank, citing a lack of accountability as a key factor emboldening these actions. The leaders specifically denounced a recent incident involving an assault on Palestinian farmers and European diplomats.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem released a statement criticizing a Saturday attack perpetrated by masked Israeli occupiers on Palestinians harvesting olives in Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village northeast of Ramallah. The attack also targeted foreign visitors, including European diplomats, who were present to show solidarity with Palestinian communities facing ongoing aggression.

The church leaders emphasized that this assault was not an isolated occurrence, highlighting a pattern of widespread violence against Palestinian villages, particularly during the olive harvest season. Additionally, they condemned a recent religious ruling by Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior, which permits Jews to take olives from Palestinian farmers. This ruling, described as dangerous and unacceptable, has faced opposition from other rabbis and Jewish voices.

The statement further criticized the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of such attacks, urging Israeli authorities to hold them accountable. The leaders also called on the international community to increase efforts to protect Palestinians and supportive foreign visitors in Taybeh and across the occupied West Bank. Notably, the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission has recorded over 14,742 attacks by Israeli occupiers throughout the West Bank in the past three years.