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Israel’s military has announced the closure of the West Bank village of Taybeh to non-residents, aiming to prevent escalating attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the region. According to the military, the order specifically targets Israelis and does not affect Palestinians. Taybeh, one of the few Christian villages left in the West Bank, attracted significant attention last year when the Greek Orthodox patriarch and the Roman Catholic cardinal of Jerusalem visited the area.

Ohad, an Israeli activist currently residing in Taybeh, expressed concern over the new military zone order. He stated that the order was issued to expel activists like himself who are working to protect the village and surrounding families from the violent actions of settlers. These settlers frequently enter Palestinian homes and compound areas, causing disturbances and attempting to force families to vacate their residences.

Ohad highlighted that a series of incidents, including clashes with settlers, prompted the military to impose the restrictive zone.

The military’s decision comes in response to recurrent violent confrontations between settlers and residents in Taybeh. These confrontations have put the safety and well-being of both Palestinians and activists at risk. The closure of Taybeh to non-residents marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank.