Taybeh, the West Bank's Only Christian Village, Is Losing Its People, Its Priest Warns
Father Bashar Fawadleh says 16 families have left in three years amid repeated settler attacks and movement restrictions. "One day it will be empty of Christians," he told an audience in London
The short answer
According to Christian Today, Father Bashar Fawadleh, parish priest of Taybeh — described as the West Bank's only Christian village — said in London in November 2026 that 16 families and many individuals have left in the past three years, about 10% of its population of 1,200. Locals report repeated attacks by Israeli settlers, including vandalism, an attempt to burn the church, torched cars and damage to olive groves. The IDF declared the area a closed military zone in August, saying it was to protect residents after violent attacks by Israelis.
Taybeh is a small village north-east of Jerusalem, described as the West Bank's only Christian village. Its parish priest says it is slowly emptying.
What He Said
Speaking in London at an event organised by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Father Bashar Fawadleh said 16 families and many individuals have left Taybeh in the last three years — around 10% of its population of 1,200.
"Taybeh's parish priest says about 10% of the West Bank Christian village's 1,200 people have left in three years amid settler attacks and movement restrictions — part of a wider Christian exodus from the Middle East."
Click to copy and share"People will go from this land. One day it will be empty of Christians and Christianity will lose its roots." — Father Bashar Fawadleh
"We don't ask for any privilege for Christians," he said. "We ask for basic human rights. Our problems are the threats, that we are stuck in our homes and can't get to our land, and migration."
What Residents Describe
According to Christian Today, locals say Israeli settlers have vandalised the village, attempted to burn down the church, torched cars, and damaged olive groves by grazing cattle and starting fires.
In August, the Israel Defense Forces declared the village a closed military zone, off-limits to Israelis and foreigners. An IDF spokesman said the move was made to "protect residents in the area" after "several violent attacks by Israelis in the region." Father Fawadleh said the restrictions are also choking the village's economy: "I can't spend seven hours a day just getting to and from my home."
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have also raised concerns, calling claims by some that settlers may take olives from Palestinian-owned groves "unfounded, very worrying and dangerous, and absolutely unacceptable."
Why It Matters
Taybeh's story is part of a wider pattern. Aid to the Church in Need's 2026 report warned of a Christian exodus across the Middle East, where Christianity began. Last month in Jordan, the Patriarch of Jerusalem said after the Karak funeral attack: "We shall not be driven to leave our land."
Pray for the families of Taybeh — that they would be safe, that they could reach their land, and that the oldest Christian communities on earth would not disappear from the places where the gospel was first preached.
Taybeh's parish priest says about 10% of the West Bank Christian village's 1,200 people have left in three years amid settler attacks and movement restrictions — part of a wider Christian exodus from the Middle East.
Biblical Perspective
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure" (Psalm 122:6). God "defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you" (Deuteronomy 10:18).
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure."
— Psalm 122:6 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, protect the people of Taybeh — their homes, their land, their church and their children. Give Father Bashar strength, give the families who remain hope, and bring justice and peace to the land where Your Son walked. Do not let Your church disappear from the Holy Land. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›The church in the Holy Land will not disappear!
- ›God defends the vulnerable!
- ›Peace will come to the land where Jesus walked!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Taybeh's families by name: safety, access to their land and hope to stay.
- 2Pray for peace and justice for everyone in the West Bank.
- 3Learn about the Christian communities of the Holy Land and share their story.
"Taybeh, the West Bank's only Christian village, has lost about 10% of its people in three years, its priest says. Pray for the church in the Holy Land."
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Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
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Questions people are asking
What is Taybeh?
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Taybeh is a village in the West Bank described as its only Christian village, with a population of about 1,200, according to its parish priest, Father Bashar Fawadleh.
Why are Christians leaving Taybeh?
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Father Bashar Fawadleh said in November 2026 that 16 families and many individuals have left in three years because of threats, restrictions that keep residents from their land, and migration. Locals report repeated attacks by Israeli settlers on property, olive groves and the church.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Settler attacks in Taybeh leading to exodus of ChristiansChristian Today
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure."
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)
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