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Christian Leaders Condemn West Bank Arson, Urge Gaza Ceasefire
Taybeh, West Bank – The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, have visited the Christian village of Taybeh following an alleged arson attack by Israeli settlers that damaged land near an ancient church. The visit, which occurred on July 14, 2025, saw the religious leaders express solidarity with the local Christian community and condemn the incident as an act of terror.
The visit by the two prominent religious figures followed a statement from the Israeli police indicating that their inquiry into the fire had not yet attributed blame to any specific group. However, US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who also visited Taybeh on Saturday, described the incident as “an act of terror” and called for “harsh consequences” for those responsible. Huckabee, an evangelical pastor known for his support of Jewish settlements, stated on X that desecrating religious sites is a “crime against humanity and God.” He later clarified that while he had not attributed the fire to any group, the act itself was a crime deserving of repercussions.
During a press conference in Jerusalem, Patriarch Theophilos III emphasized the importance of supporting the small Christian community in Gaza, urging them to remain near their historically significant holy sites. Cardinal Pizzaballa, speaking to an Italian newspaper during his trip, affirmed the Catholic Church’s commitment to maintaining its presence in Gaza “whatever happens.”
Both religious leaders reiterated calls, echoing those of Pope Leo and numerous international leaders, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Cardinal Pizzaballa, a proponent of interfaith dialog, stated, “We are not against Israel. But we need to say with frankness and clarity, that this policy of the Israeli government in Gaza is unacceptable and morally we cannot justify
