Israeli settlers block Christian villagers' olive harvest in Taybeh

Israeli settlers blocked Christian villagers in Taybeh from accessing their olive groves during this year's harvest, according to the local parish priest, Father Bashar Fawadleh. The village is the only entirely Christian Palestinian community in the West Bank.

In an open letter, Father Fawadleh reported that settlers have stolen olives and damaged trees in parts of the town. These actions have reduced the harvest, which provides essential income and food for the community. He noted that many families will produce less olive oil than they need for their own households and may no longer be able to rely on their land for their livelihoods.

The difficulties coincide with new rules prohibiting Palestinians from working in Area C, a region under Israeli security control that contains most of the territory's agricultural land. Two-thirds of the land in Taybeh is located within Area C.