A Christian holy site in the West Bank fell victim to a violent attack by a group of Palestinians, causing significant damage, as reported by various media outlets.
The assailants, hailing from the Balata refugee camp in the city of Shechem, were reportedly armed with an array of weapons, including guns, firebombs, and stones during the Sunday night assault on Jacob's Well near Nablus. Sources from the Tazpit Press Service, an Israeli news agency, provided details on the incident.
Nablus Concerns Over Christian Violence
Smoke billows from the aftermath of the detonation of a Palestinian explosive charge on an Israeli armoured vehicle during an Israeli army raid in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on June 19, 2023. Violent clashes erupted in Jenin on June 19 during an Israeli raid on the West Bank city in which the army fired missiles from a helicopter, according to an AFP photographer at the scene.
The city of Nablus, under the control of the Palestinian Authority, is now under scrutiny for allegedly failing to address the escalating violence against the Christian community. Elias Zarina, the co-founder and community manager of the Jerusalemite Initiative, a nonprofit promoting Arab Christian integration into Israeli society, expressed concern over the lack of protection for the Christian community.
The 80-year-old keeper of the attacked monastery, Father Ioustinos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, fortunately escaped physical harm but was reportedly traumatized by the violent episode.
Local leaders emphasized that attacks on Christian sites by Palestinians have become a distressingly common occurrence. Dr. Naim Khoury, founder of the first Baptist Church in Bethlehem, noted the prevailing instability in the region, stating that such incidents are unfortunately widespread, even in Jerusalem.
The targeted site, Jacob's Well, holds religious significance for Christians, believed to have been purchased by Biblical Patriarch Jacob based on the New Testament. Construction of a Christian compound, including a church and monastery, began in 1908, with completion delayed until the 1990s due to financial and bureaucratic challenges.
The alleged assault unfolded amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following the terror group's attack on Israeli communities in early October, as per to Fox News.
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Christian Community Faces Violence
Christian sources informed TPS that the attackers, armed with guns, firebombs, and stones, inflicted widespread damage on the monastery within the compound where Jacob's Well is situated.
Zarina reiterated concerns about the Palestinian Authority's failure to protect Christian communities and holy sites. Noting the absence of arrests and security measures, he emphasized the vulnerability of sensitive locations regularly targeted by attacks.
Zarina, who has extensively researched the Christian communities in the Holy Land, highlighted a concerning trend of dwindling Christian populations since the Oslo Accords brought the Palestinian Authority into power. Citing Bethlehem as an example, he revealed a drastic decline from 88 percent Christian population in 1993 to a mere 12 percent three decades later.
According to Zarina, many Christians have emigrated due to the challenging circumstances, often facing pressure from Muslim groups. He underscored the prevailing sentiment within Islam, where both Christians and Jews are considered heretics and, unfortunately, subjected to violence.
The recent attack on Jacob's Well serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Christian community in the region, urging international attention and intervention to address the growing pattern of violence against them, according to The Print.
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