JERUSALEM (AsiaNews): The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has expressed its “full rejection” of Israeli settler “encroachments” on its land in the Tayasir/Hamam al-Maleh areas of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank.
In a press release on April 24, it reported a “field meeting” with Israeli civil and military authorities to discuss the serious incident and to submit an “official and documented complaint,” including details of the attack. According to pictures circulating online, the attack included the destruction of a school attended by 70 children.
The patriarchate noted that “protecting Church endowment properties is a red line,” underscoring its commitment to safeguarding their sacred character and ecclesial identity, as well as the Palestinian population affected.
Following this complaint, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem stated that Israeli “authorities began the necessary actions, including pursuing those responsible and seizing heavy machinery used for destruction and damage at the site.”
The Church in the Holy Land demanded reparation for the damage caused, the prevention of future attacks, and a guarantee of protection of its properties. Israeli authorities have reportedly carried out “the immediate removal of the encroachments.”
The incident came amid increasing settler violence in the West Bank since the start of the war with Iran. Recently, extremists have started targeting schools. In Umm al-Khair, south of Hebron, a main road was cordoned off with barbed wire to prevent children from accessing the local school. For five days, the children protested peacefully for their right to education.
Meanwhile, the Israeli government is trying to mend increasingly tense relations between the Jewish state and the Christian community in the Holy Land.
Relations soured after Christian leaders were prevented from celebrating services in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
