Beware, International Community! Jews Did Not Burn the Church by Bassam Tawil

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21777/taybeh-church

There is no evidence… that Jews were behind the alleged arson.

[US Ambassador to Israel Mike] Huckabee should be commended for understanding that the Palestinians had lied to him when they claimed that Jews were behind the arson.

“In recent days, a despicable and false blood libel has been raging around the world against the settlements, reminiscent of dark periods in Europe, and it has so far managed to deceive quite a few lovers of Israel in the US… No ‘nationalist crime’ event by Jews was carried out, no church was set on fire, and no cemetery was desecrated. Exactly the opposite—Christian Arabs from the village of Taybeh set fire to open areas four times in one week to prevent Jews from grazing there.” — Elisha Yered, a Jewish father of three living in the West Bank, X, July 21, 2025.

“Throughout the entire event, no damage was caused in any way to the church or the cemetery, and they certainly weren’t ‘completely set ablaze’ or ‘suffered heavy damage’—thanks in part to the residents who fought the fire with their bare hands. This is a fact, not an interpretation.” — Elisha Yered, X, July 21, 2025.

“I have my Masters in archeology. I remember it’s a Byzantine church. Let’s go see how one burns down an ancient church made of stone. So, we’re walking in. I don’t see any signs of a fire. I don’t see a church burned down…. And even on the outskirts or the outer walls there are no signs of fire. I can’t find any. So, it doesn’t look like the church has been burned down… So who has the interest to display this bonfire as the settlers burning down the church?” — Eliana Passentin, tour guide and archeologist, X, July 21, 2025.

“Contrary to the widely reported accusations, TPS-IL found evidence of firefighting efforts by local Jewish residents and raised serious doubts about the fire’s origin – casting a shadow over the political motivations behind the allegation made by a promising Christian leader in the Holy land.” — The Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL), July 20, 2025.

However, [Huckabee], like many in the media and the international community, does not appear to be familiar with the Palestinians’ long-time practice of spreading lies and fabrications with the purpose of vilifying Israel and demonizing Jews.

Last week, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh in the Binyamin region of the West Bank, where he was told by local leaders that Jewish settlers had burned down the ancient Church of Saint George. There is no evidence, however, that Jews were behind the alleged arson. In fact, Jews living near the village actually helped extinguish a fire that was lit by Palestinians to prevent Jewish shepherds from grazing their cattle.