In the hills of the occupied West Bank, the ancient village of Taybeh stands as the last entirely Christian community in the territory. Once known as Ephraim in the Bible, Taybeh has long been a symbol of coexistence and faith — but today, its 1,200 residents face mounting threats from expanding Israeli settlements and escalating violence.

Each Sunday, church bells ring across Taybeh’s three parishes — Roman Catholic, Greek Melkite, and Greek Orthodox — calling the faithful to worship. But beyond the church doors, fear hangs heavy. Residents say Jewish settler attacks have grown more brazen, while Israeli checkpoints restrict movement, cut off trade, and make daily life increasingly unbearable.

“The situation in the West Bank needs another agreement — to move away and expel the settlers from our lands,” said Rev. Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. “We are so tired of this life.”

The tiny Christian population in the West Bank — now estimated at just 1% of its 3 million residents — is shrinking fast. Taybeh’s villagers say they are struggling to hold on as families flee for safety and opportunity abroad. Clergy report that at least a dozen families have already left, while others are considering it amid worsening security and economic decline.

Settler violence, residents say, has reached their olive groves and cemeteries. Longtime parishioner Suheil Nazzal, who leads music at Mass, said settlers have blocked villagers from harvesting olives and even set fires near Taybeh’s historic fifth-century church.

“We’re struggling too much. We don’t see the light,” said Rev. David Khoury of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. “We feel like we are in a big prison.”
Families like Victor Barakat and Nadeen Khoury, who moved from Massachusetts to raise their children in Taybeh, say the violence feels worse than during the Second Intifada. “Everyone is unsafe,” Barakat said. “You never know who’s going to stop you.”

Though Israel’s government insists it protects religious freedom, Christian leaders across the region have warned of rising hostility. Church officials in Jerusalem report more frequent acts of vandalism and harassment by Jewish extremists, including attacks on clergy.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has called attention to the worsening situation: “Settler attacks, lack of jobs, and restrictions on movement are driving more Christians to leave.”

For the Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land, Rev. Francesco Ielpo, the mission is to persevere: “We can’t stop the hemorrhage, but we will continue to be here and stand alongside everyone.”

Despite the hardships, Taybeh’s Christians remain rooted in faith — determined to keep alive their ancient presence in the land where their religion began. “I love my country because I love my Christ,” Father Fawadleh said. “My Christ is Ibn Al-Balad — the son of this land.”