(LifeSiteNews) — The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem strongly condemned recent Israeli settler encroachments and destruction on its properties in the Tayasir/Hamam Il-Maleh area of the West Bank, declaring the protection of Church lands a “red line.”

In a press release issued today, the Patriarchate’s Endowment Department detailed a field meeting with Israeli military authorities and the Civil Administration. The session addressed serious damage caused by settler terrorists to Church-owned lands, including intrusions, land destruction, and attacks inflicted upon local residents.

The department submitted a formal, documented complaint, prompting authorities to seize heavy machinery used in the violations and pursue those responsible.

Illegal Israeli settlers use an excavator to uproot and demolish trees on Palestinian-owned land in Hebron, occupied West Bank.

State-backed violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories has escalated, with a 40% increase in settler attacks in the first quarter of… pic.twitter.com/VMoDXJEK7v

— TRT World (@trtworld) April 4, 2025

During the meeting, Church representatives rejected the actions as clear violations of ecclesiastical property and demanded “the immediate removal of all damage caused, prevention of any future intrusions into these areas, and the provision of legal protection for the Patriarchate’s lands.”

Authorities acknowledged the gravity of the situation “and committed to the immediate removal of the encroachments, and continuing legal action against those involved.”

The Patriarchate reiterated its support for local residents, emphasizing its humanitarian mission to help communities “remain steadfast” amid ongoing challenges.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was thoroughly informed on the situation and “gave instructions to follow the matter seriously and to provide all possible support to the local people during these difficult circumstances.”

“The Endowment Department of the Latin Patriarchate confirms that protecting Church endowment properties is a red line,” the statement declared. It vowed to pursue all legal and administrative steps to safeguard the sanctity, identity, and rights of these lands while continuing to stand with the people.

The latest incident highlights persistent and even deadly aggressions from radical Jewish sects over land and security in the West Bank and Jerusalem, where Church properties have faced repeated pressures with Christians consistently warning their western co-religionists that radical Zionist movements, most often with Israeli government sanction, are seeking to drive them out of the Holy Land.

BREAKING: Israeli settler terrorists are carrying out a pogrom in the village of Tayasir in the West Bank right now, setting homes on fire in an attempt to burn families alive.

Four people have been injured and hospitalized. pic.twitter.com/mBRTFQvjPW

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) March 31, 2026

RELATED:

Jerusalem bishop decries escalating Israeli settler terror attacks against Christians

Palestinian leaders: Christian communities risk being wiped out if US churches don’t intervene

Holy Land nun tells Tucker: American Catholics must ‘change the support for Israel’ in the US

Poll data reveals collapse in US support for Israel across party lines

Religious Zionist settlers savagely assault Palestinian Oscar winner for exposing their crimes

Holy Land bishops urge Christians worldwide to help defend faithful from Israeli settler attacks

‘Faith in a Time of Genocide’: Holy Land Christians call for solidarity, repudiation of Zionism