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Jews Did Not Burn the Church

(Gatestone Institute) Bassam Tawil - Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank, where he was told by local leaders that Jewish "settlers" had burned down the ancient Church of Saint George. There is no evidence, however, that Jews were behind the alleged arson. In fact, Jews living near the village actually helped extinguish a fire that was lit by Palestinians to prevent Jewish shepherds from grazing their cattle. On July 22, Huckabee clarified that he did not blame Jews for the arson: "Investigation reveals no damage to ancient church in Taybeh & investigation of origin of fire continues. I have NOT attributed the cause of fire to any person or group as we don't know for sure." Huckabee should be commended for understanding that the Palestinians had lied to him when they claimed that Jews were behind the arson. A Jewish resident commented: "No 'nationalist crime' event by Jews was carried out, no church was set on fire, and no cemetery was desecrated. Exactly the opposite - Christian Arabs from the village of Taybeh set fire to open areas four times in one week to prevent Jews from grazing there." "The event that sparked the uproar happened on July 7. For the second time that week, Arabs from the village set a fire that began spreading rapidly....The flames also spread toward the village, but the farm residents insisted on fighting to extinguish that hotspot as well...and they stopped the fire just before it reached the line of houses, where, among other things, there is a church and an ancient cemetery....This is a fact, not an interpretation. See the drone photo that shows it clearly." All those who rushed to blame Jews for "burning down" a church should apologize for endorsing this new blood libel. Many in the media and the international community do not appear to be familiar with the Palestinians' long-time practice of spreading lies and fabrications with the purpose of vilifying Israel and demonizing Jews.
2025-07-24 00:00:00
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