Israel declares Palestinian Christian village Taybeh a ‘closed military zone’

The Israeli army has declared the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh a "closed military zone," a move that the village mayor warns will harm residents' livelihoods and restrict movement. The designation, announced Monday, bars Israelis and foreigners from entering Taybeh, located near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Mayor Suleiman Khoury expressed concern that the restriction on foreign visitors would significantly impact the local economy, as Taybeh is a notable religious and tourist destination. He stated that tourism is a vital income source for many local families. Khoury questioned the Israeli justification, arguing that if security is the aim, authorities should instead focus on stopping attacks by Israeli settlers, who he claims continue to vandalize village land and property.

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Preventing foreigners from entering Taybeh would harm residents. Israeli settlers continue attacking, vandalizing and grazing on the village’s land. We should be protected by stopping settler attacks, not by imposing new restrictions on the village.

Khoury described the decision as an attempt to "tighten the noose" around residents rather than a genuine security measure. Taybeh is recognized for its religious, historical, and cultural importance, boasting ancient churches and archaeological sites. The Israeli action follows recent settler attacks on the village last Friday. According to Palestinian figures, Israeli settlers have conducted thousands of attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank during the first half of this year, including assaults, property destruction, and land seizures. International law considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories illegal.

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tighten the noose