Police investigates arson attack on vehicles in Christian village of Taybeh in Samaria

Police have opened an investigation after two vehicles were set on fire and graffiti was sprayed on the walls of the Greek Catholic church of Taybeh this week.

In response, [local priest] Father Jack said, “We are not against settlers, only rioters. We are afraid they will break into the village at night. We are not willing to accept bloodshed of any kind.”

The incident comes after Shin Bet (Israel's internal security service) recently narrowed the definition of Jewish nationalist crime in Judea and Samaria (also known internationally as the West Bank).

“This is the fourth time fires have been set here,” Father Jack said, adding that an open area near the church was torched in July. He described the village as quiet and not seeking confrontation.

Distinguishing between settlers and the assailants, Father Jack said the community fears rioters may raid the village at night and harm residents, emphasizing that they are not against settlers, only the rioters. “I have nothing against settlers in Ofra or Rimonim; I have friends there,” he said.

המשטרה פתחה בחקירת האירוע ותחקור אותו בליווי הצבא. שלושה רעולי פנים תועדו מגיעים למקום במהלך הלילה ובורחים | תיעוד בלעדי @HGoldich pic.twitter.com/c7Utvk0n5w

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 4, 2026

Father Jack called on the army and police to intervene and increase enforcement in the area, in response to what he describes as an escalation in nationalist-motivated crime in Judea and Samaria over recent months.

“We want peace and to live quietly with all our neighbors – Jews, Arabs, Christians, Muslims – it doesn’t matter to us. We want to live, work, and be around people,” he added.

The attack on the church, which took place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, is being investigated by police, who will enter the village under military escort. According to data from the Judea and Samaria District Police, an average of about four nationalist-motivated crimes occurred daily in the territories during the first two weeks of 2026.

Shin Bet has revised the definitions used by its Jewish Terrorism Division, reclassifying arson of unoccupied buildings or vehicles as a “serious incident,” KAN News reported this week.

While serious incidents are still investigated by Shin Bet, the change affects resource prioritization and the allocation of personnel to investigations within the division.

Masked Jewish settlers have carried out more than ten arson attacks this month. Only three of them have been classified by Shin Bet as terrorist attacks, while the rest have been considered “serious incidents.” This distinction may explain why the perpetrators often evade punishment.

An investigation has been launched into the village arsons by the Judea and Samaria District, Israel Police reported.