Name: West Bank Christians mark Christmas despite settler threats
Uploaded: 2025-12-26T00:13:09.301Z
Duration: 2 min 33 s
Description: In Taybeh, one of the last predominantly Christian villages in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, residents strive to give local children a joyous Christmas — despite unabating attacks by illegal settlers.

In Taybeh, one of the last predominantly Christian villages in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, residents strive to give local children a joyous Christmas — despite unabating attacks by illegal settlers.

Jerusalem

In the West Bank town of Taibe, predominantly Christian residents gathered to celebrate Christmas despite facing frequent attacks from Israeli settlers. Footage shared by locals shows recent incidents of property destruction, including cars being set on fire, contributing to a sense of insecurity and prompting some families to leave the area.

Religious leaders and residents emphasized the importance of maintaining the Christmas spirit and called for peace and justice. Despite the ongoing threats, the community managed to come together for the festivities, providing a brief respite from the surrounding violence.

West Bank Christians mark Christmas despite settler threats

Santa and his helpers finally arrive. Dozens of children along with their parents have gathered in front of Taibe's Catholic Church to wait for this moment. I love Santa Claus. I hope he can make everything okay. We have a lot of fun with Santa. We come together as a family and we just play. We love these celebrations. We can open lots of gifts and have a good time. I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I'm very happy and I hope you're happy too. What looks like an ordinary Christmas party is anything but normal. Israeli settlers constantly attack the small West Bank town, even during the festive season. Residents show us footage from just a few weeks ago. Settlers set several cars on fire. They want to put in our hearts that we don't feel that we are safe. We don't feel that there is security. And this is the result. This is the result that would put it in our hearts, in our mind to leave this city. Almost all of Taibe's residents are Christians and during the festive season they try hard to maintain the Christmas spirit. But more and more people are leaving. This family fled after settlers destroyed their property. The attackers left a clear message at their neighbour's house. Soon it won't just be cars burning here. There is absolutely no one to protect us here. Many people come and offer their protection and their support. But these are all just empty words. According to the Bible, Jesus himself was in Taibe shortly before his death. For Father Bashar, his Christmas message is more relevant than ever. He is against always the darkness. He is against the indignity, the injustice. And he would also give more love, more peace and more justice for our people. At least for one evening, it seems, the people in Taibe can forget the violence and threats around them.

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