Taybeh is widely recognized as the last exclusively Christian town in the occupied West Bank. According to the Christian New Testament, Jesus once stayed in this village, known then as Ephraim, two millennia ago.

But now she says her family there are worried, feeling threatened and insecure.

Dena Dahdal (top left) with her family in Palestinian village Taybeh. Source: Supplied / Dena Dahdal

A site steeped in history attacked

The church no longer has a roof or all four walls but the original walls and mosaic tiles built by Christians in the fifth century remains.

The church of St George in Taybeh was built in the 5th century. Source: Supplied / Dena Dahdal

Parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Latin church in Taybeh, Father Bashar Fawadleh that people in the village are “so afraid” after a fire was lit next to the church last week.

“This village represents … an unbroken thread of Christian presence. The church stands as a testament to that. The fact that a fire came so close highlights the current struggles faced by the village.”

‘Cannot remain silent’: Faith leaders issue warning

The settlers were routinely seen grazing cattle on the land, damaging olive trees central to the livelihoods of Taybeh’s 1,200 residents.

“Forcibly removing farmers from their land, threatening their churches, and encircling their towns is a wound to the living heart of this nation.”

Residents of Taybeh report that Israeli settlers have purposefully allowed cattle to graze near their olive trees, causing the animals to damage the crops. Source: Supplied

They called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the attacks.

“They’ve prevented us from harvesting our olives, most of which are located in the restricted area we are banned from entering.”

Father Daoud Khoury of the Greek Orthodox Church, Father Jacques-Noble Abed of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, and Father Bashar Fawadleh of the Latin Church in Taybeh spoke out about an alleged arson attack in Taybeh. Source: Supplied

Fawadleh said Palestinian people are the “living stones of the land” and won’t move despite provocations.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and has since built settlements in the West Bank and steadily expanded them.

Dena Dahdal regularly visits the Palestinian village Taybeh. Source: Supplied / Dena Dahdal

Israeli leaders argue the territories are not occupied in legal terms because they are on disputed lands, but the United Nations and most of the international community regard them as occupied territory.

“Taybeh needs more than sympathy, it needs protection.”