Jerusalem church leaders condemn settlers’ assault in Taybeh and call ruling allowing seizure of Palestinian olives “absolutely unacceptable”

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem condemned a raid by masked Israeli settlers in the Christian town of Taybeh, saying it was part of a dangerous campaign to terrorize local Palestinians. In a joint statement, they described the assault as brutal.

The church leaders also rejected recent Israeli incitement and denounced a religious ruling issued by Rabbi Dov Lior that they said explicitly authorized settlers to seize Palestinian olive harvests. The ruling framed taking Palestinian agricultural produce as an assertion of land ownership, they said.

The statement called the ruling “unfounded, very worrying and dangerous, and absolutely unacceptable,” describing it as a violation of basic moral and legal principles.

Church authorities warned that such religious rulings fuel lawlessness. They said sanctioning mob violence and land grabs severely threatens the survival of native Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank.