We Went To The “Burned” Palestinian Church...

Did Israeli settlers burn down a historic church in Samaria, or was it a viral lie fueled by an anti-Israel agenda? What really happened on the ground?

JNS Middle East correspondent Josh Hasten is joined by Tila Falic Levy, a passionate advocate for Israel and Judea and Samaria, to uncover the truth behind the incendiary headlines. Together, they reveal the true nature of the incident, detailing the misleading reports and the facts that were conveniently ignored by mainstream media. From the actual cause of the fire to the broader political implications of this smear campaign, “Judeacation” pulls back the curtain on a fabricated narrative designed to inflame tensions and damage Israel’s reputation.

Topics covered in this episode include: The alleged church burning incident in Taibe and the facts surrounding the fire The importance of preserving Israel’s historical and religious sites The role of media in spreading misinformation about Israel The realities of life for Christians in Judea and Samaria, including the impact of the Palestinian Authority on their safety The geopolitical dynamics of Israeli settlement and the risks posed to those living in disputed territories Tila’s unique perspective on defending Israel and her personal connection to the land of Judea

Wanting more and more land for itself, the Israeli government,
has turned a blind eye to settler violence directed at Christians.

There have been reports of attacks on Christians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.......a place where settlers do not belong.

Settler attacks have targeted Palestinian Christians, their homes, and their religious sites, including churches and cemeteries.

Specifically, there have been reports of, settler Attacks on churches and cemeteries:

Fires have been set near churches and cemeteries in Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian village, with residents and clergy blaming Israeli settlers.

Settlers have damaged centuries-old olive groves, which are a major source of income for the Christian community.

Settlers vindictively Restrict movement and access: Settlers have reportedly prevented farmers from accessing their land and have restricted Christian clergy from entering holy sites.

Settlers conduct General harassment and violence: Christian Residents of Taybeh have reported regular, violent harassment by Israeli settlers, including assaults and vandalism.

These attacks have drawn condemnation from church leaders, diplomats, and human rights groups, who point to a pattern of violence against Palestinian Christians in the West Bank. Some reports suggest these attacks are escalating, particularly since the start of the war in Gaza.

Some also suggest that the violence is linked to the ideology of certain religious groups and may be encouraged by the actions of the Israeli government, which has been accused of turning a blind eye to settler violence.

Christians, call Congress, now.

Message: Americans w/ shrinking paychecks, robbed week after week to fund SS, now face the possibility of a depleted fund. But the govt has billions for parasitic foreign bombers, cravenly saying, with dollar signs in their eyes, they are “our greatest ally.” No more money for Israelis bombing Catholic churches and attacking Christians.

Christians, if you know who your representative is use their online contact form.

The Clerk of the House maintains addresses and phone numbers of all House members and Committees.

Or you may call (202) 224-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator.

A concerning situation for Christians in the Holy Land are Israeli Attacks on Churches and Individuals:

In July 2025, an Israeli shell reportedly struck the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, killing three people and injuring ten others, including the parish priest.

The Israeli military stated that the church was mistakenly hit by fragments from a shell fired during operational activity and that it only targets militants, making efforts to avoid harming civilians and religious sites.

In October 2023, the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza was hit by an Israeli airstrike, killing 18 people sheltering inside.
In December 2023, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem accused Israeli forces of fatally shooting a mother and daughter who were walking inside the grounds of the Holy Family Catholic Church. Israel denied intentionally targeting the women or the church but acknowledged exchanging fire with Hamas in the area.

Rise in Violence and Harassment against Christians:
A report by the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue documented 111 cases of attacks against Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem in 2024, an increase from 89 cases in 2023.

These attacks included physical assaults (spitting, pepper-spraying, hitting), vandalism and desecration of church properties, harassment, and violations of religious freedom.
The perpetrators were identified as Jewish individuals, primarily young men from ultra-Orthodox and national-religious communities, driven by nationalist fervor and religious extremism.
Christian leaders express concerns about a lack of thorough investigation into these incidents and believe the rise in attacks is connected to the emboldened nature of Israeli settlers and a culture of impunity under the current Israeli government.

Attacks on Christian communities and churches by Israeli settlers have been reported in the West Bank, including the burning of a church in Taybeh according to Yahoo News.

It is important to note Israeli forces striking churches and killing Christians, is intentional. The rising numbers of Israel targeting religious sites and civilians is amid the concerns raised by Christian leaders and highlight a serious and ongoing issue.

Catholic Holy Family Church in Gaza

The church is on Gamal Abdel Nasser (that runs northeast-southwest). The church is northeast of the intersection of that street and El Dahra (that runs northwest-southeast), in a northeastern direction from the center of Gaza city, Khan Younis - see:

https://www.joinmychurch.org/churches/Holy-Family-Church-Gaza-Gaza-Governorate-Palestine/469130
You may scroll down to find the Google map, including a satellite view <-- that has been significantly edited / "Photoshopped" by Google in several areas, in and around the church proper. I used a Mapquest view, in order to compare Mapquest < - > Google locations of structures. There is a large building that is immediately to the northeast from the church; and then immediately across a northwest-southeast running, narrow street, there is, or was, a small mosque.
The church building itself is behind a heavily-reinforced wall (<-- link to Getty image) of the church property complex.

Catholic News Agency - image of the cross and some damage:

Khan Younis - scroll down:

Numerous sources indicate that the Christian financed Israeli government fails to adequately address land-grabbing interlopers-——land-hungry Israeli settlers viciously perpetrating violence against Christian Palestinians in the West Bank.

Human rights organizations and international bodies have raised concerns about the escalating nature of this violence and the perceived lack of accountability for land-grabbing Israeli perpetrators.

The escalation in vicious Israeli settler violence....... which includes assaults, harassment, and destruction of property........has led to exactly what the land-greedy Israeli govt wants-——displacement of Christian Palestinian communities.

Critics have stated that Israeli security forces ——heavily financed by Christian taxpayers ———have been documented both ignoring and participating in these actions, according to The Guardian.

The US Department of State noted that while Israel reports holding soldiers and settlers accountable, human rights groups often argue that authorities do not sufficiently investigate and prosecute human rights abuses against Palestinians, including those committed by settlers.

The issue of settler violence has prompted international condemnation, including from the US, UK, and China, with calls for Israel to take stronger action to curb the violence and hold perpetrators accountable, according to Anadolu Agency. Some countries have implemented sanctions against individuals involved in settler violence.

Despite these concerns and condemnations, critics argue that a culture of impunity surrounding settler violence persists, and it remains a significant obstacle to peace and stability in the region, according to the International Crisis Group.

‘Isteal Can’t Fake That’: Trump Breaks With Netanyahu wRT Starvation in Gaza
Gotta keep US tax dollaar billions rolling in
Mediaite ^ | Jul 28th, 2025 | Alex Griffing
Posted on 07/28/2025 11:16:08 AM PDT by Miami Rebel

President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing concerns of famine in Gaza on Monday, breaking from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Sunday comments in which the Israeli lied to keep the US tax dollars rolling in.....Netanyahu’s money grabbing whopper: “There is no starvation in Gaza.”

Trump was asked about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Turnberry, Scotland. “It’s going to be working where the United States will be helping with the food. You know, we have a lot of access to food; we got a lot of food ourselves, and we’re going to bring it over there. We’re also going to make sure that they don’t have barriers stopping people,” Trump said when asked about the issue. He added:

You know, you’ve seen the areas where they actually have food, and the people are screaming for the food in there. They’re 35, 40 yards away, and they won’t let them because they have lines that are set up, and whether they’re set up by Hamas or whoever, but they’re very strict lines, and we have to get rid of those lines.

But we’re going to be getting some good, strong food. We can save a lot of people. I mean, some of those kids are — that’s real starvation stuff. I see it, and you can’t fake that. So we’re gonna be even more involved. We did some airlifts before, some airdrops, and the people are running for it. And the Prime Minister is going to help us. They’re very effective with that. You’ve done that before and for many. They’ve done that for 100 years very well, so it’s not very hard to do, actually.

Widespread media reports have documented the dire conditions in Gaza in recent days as social media has also been awash with a typical amount of misinformation – including images taken from other war zones or out of context. Israel announced a pause in fighting on Sunday to allow for food distribution and to assist UN agencies in aid delivery. Aid distribution sites have become flashpoints of violence in recent weeks as shootings have killed scores of Palestinians, with both sides blaming the other for the mass killings.

In response to claims of starvation in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that it is a “bold-faced lie” to say there is a policy of starvation in the region and that starvation itself is not occurring.

However, many international and humanitarian organizations contradict Netanyahu’s statements, presenting evidence of a severe hunger crisis in Gaza: Numerous aid agencies and the United Nations have repeatedly warned of mass starvation and the risk of famine in Gaza, attributing the crisis to Israel’s imposed blockade and restrictions on aid entry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported alarming malnutrition rates, particularly among children and pregnant/breastfeeding mothers, with a significant spike in malnutrition-related deaths in recent weeks and months.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza states that a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, including children.

Amnesty International has stated that Israel’s actions, including the blockade, could be construed as using starvation as a weapon of war and potential evidence of genocide against Palestinians.

Reports indicate that the majority of Gaza’s population faces food insecurity, with a significant portion experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, acute malnutrition, and related illnesses.

Aid groups on the ground have described dire conditions, including witnessing colleagues and partners suffering from starvation and exhaustion.

Netanyahu has also claimed that Hamas is responsible for interdicting aid and stealing supplies, according to the BBC and CNN. However, an internal US government review found no evidence of widespread theft of US-funded aid by Hamas, according to an NBC News report. Aid groups, such as the World Food Program, argue that the biggest challenge to their famine prevention efforts is Israel’s military campaign and restrictions, not Hamas’s actions.

In response to international pressure, Israel has recently announced some easing of aid restrictions, including tactical pauses in military operations and the creation of new aid corridors, according to CNN and Al Jazeera. However, humanitarian organizations stress that the amount of aid reaching Gaza is still insufficient to address the scale of the hunger crisis.

Gaza’s Food Crisis Began Long Before the Israel-Hamas ...
Apr 18, 2024 — Ten days after an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) drone strike killed seven aid workers distributing food with the World Central Kitchen, USAID Director.

People in Gaza starving, sick and dying as aid blockade ...
May 12, 2025 — People in Gaza starving, sick and dying as aid blockade continues. ... Scarcity of food in Gaza is increasingly causing malnutrition and severe hunger.

Gaza experiencing ‘real starvation’, Trump says - BBC
Jul 28, 2025 —

Netanyahu on Sunday savaged claims that Israel was deliberately starving civilians in Gaza, which would amount to a war crime. “What a bold-faced lie.”

There have been reports of arson attacks by hate-filled Israeli settlers on Taybeh, the last entirely Christian Palestinian village in the West Bank, including fires set near the Church of St. George.

Residents and clergy attribute the fires to land-greedy Israeli settlers, a claim supported by footage and witness accounts. While investigations are ongoing, lying hate-filled Israeli settlers have denied responsibility.

Residents of Taybeh have reported multiple incidents, including fires near the village entrance and next to the historic Church of St. George, as well as the desecration of the church cemetery.

Accusations against land-grabbing Israeli settlers who vindictively go where they dont belong: Palestinian Christians and clergy in Taybeh have directly accused Israeli settlers of starting the fires.

Lie-prone “perfect” Settlers have denied responsibility for the attacks and released videos stupidly suggesting that Palestinians themselves may be responsible.

Israeli police are ignorantly investigating themselves, so Christian concerns about the thoroughness and impartiality of the investigations, particularly among some residents of Taybeh are entirely valid.

These attacks are part of a broader pattern of israeli violence and intimidation targeting Palestinian Christians in the West Bank, a region with a history of tensions between vicious warmongering settlers and Christians.

International condemnation: Church leaders and diplomats have condemned the attacks.

Taybeh holds particular significance as the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank.

Good satellite view of the Catholic Holy Family Church in Gaza, plus the surroundings:
https://satellites.pro/Gaza_map.Palestine#31.356399,34.312733,18

If you zoom in there, and thereabouts, and compare with what Google Earth satellite imagery shows, you can see that Google has been editing its imagery with additional splotches that do not fit.

For example, to the northeast from the center of the church, there is, or was, a large are of several greenhouses. Google shows wheeled plus tread marks up to and over parts of the greenhouse . . . but the greenhouse is not damaged.

And, the large building immediately to the east-northeast of the church, was hit by an inertial bomb, but NOBODY seems to have blamed Israel for damaging the church upon that event?

Indeed, if you look around the area, in Google’s productions, there is a lot of obvious ground combat transport and vehicle indications - A LOT OF THAT.

Some groups and individuals have raised concerns about actions by Israel’s anti- Christian agenda n Gaza, particularly during Israels killing and maiming in its ongoing conflict in Gaza, that they believe have negatively impacted the Christian community.

These include: Israeli military Strikes near churches: The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius was damaged in an Israeli strike, killing 17 people sheltering inside. The Holy Family Catholic Church was also struck, resulting in three deaths and injuries to others, including the parish priest.

Targeting of Christians: An Israeli sniper killed two Christian women walking within the grounds of the Holy Family Catholic Church.

Restrictions on movement: The ongoing Israeli killings and its related restrictions can make it challenging for Christians in Gaza to access holy sites or connect with other Christian communities.

Israel keeps lying-——saying it is not “intentionally targeting” religious or civilian sanctuaries.

To keep the U S tax billions rolling in
Israel en]vrn invented the canard about “growth of the Christian population within Israel itself “ as evidence of its desperation to keep Christians financing its existence.

The situation for Christians in Gaza is complex, with the actions of lying kill-obsessed Israel contributing to the Christian community’s struggles and concerns about its future.

Why does Israel investigate itself?

In situations where the actions of a nation’s military are questioned, the concept of internal investigations, where the military investigates itself, often arises.

Why Israel conducts these investigations
Responding to allegations: Israel has pledged to investigate incidents where its military forces are suspected of wrongdoing, particularly in the context of the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Addressing international pressure: Human rights groups and international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, have raised concerns and accusations about potential war crimes in Gaza. These investigations can be seen as an effort to respond to these claims and potentially avoid international action.

Maintaining accountability: The Israeli military has stated a commitment to upholding standards of conduct and investigating allegations of violations of these standards by its personnel.

Criticisms of the process
Effectiveness and Impartiality: Critics, including Israeli human rights organizations, have raised doubts about the effectiveness and impartiality of these self-investigations.
Focus on Lower Ranks: Concerns exist that the current system is not structured to investigate high-ranking officials and policy decisions related to the use of military force.

Lack of Transparency: The Israeli military’s refusal to disclose a full list of investigations and details about the probes has led to calls for greater transparency.

Timeliness and Access to Evidence: Investigations may be opened late, and concerns have been raised about delays and difficulties in accessing and securing evidence.

Conflict of Interest: The Military Advocate General’s dual role as both legal advisor to the military during combat and the authority responsible for deciding on indictments has been highlighted as a potential conflict of interest.

In summary, Israel conducts self-investigations as a mechanism for addressing allegations of wrongdoing by its forces and responding to internal and external pressures. However, the process faces significant criticism regarding its independence, transparency, and ability to hold those at higher levels of command accountable.

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