08/27/2026
🚨 Christian Community of Zababdeh Warns: “Time Is Running Out”
A new warning is emerging from Zababdeh, one of the last significant Christian communities in the northern West Bank.
Fr. Firas Khoury, priest of St. George Melkite Greek Catholic Church, has raised alarm over growing pressure surrounding the historic Christian town. According to his account, a new Israeli settlement has already been established on Palestinian agricultural land nearby, while preparations for a second settlement are reportedly advancing, with mobile homes positioned in the area.
But the concern extends far beyond the loss of land.
Residents are facing increasing restrictions on movement, with roads around Zababdeh reportedly being closed or occupied by soldiers and settlers. Many people are struggling to obtain work permits, families have lost sources of income, and economic hardship continues to deepen.
At the same time, Zababdeh has become a place of refuge for people displaced from Jenin and its refugee camp, placing additional pressure on the small community. Fr. Khoury says families have approached the Church seeking help because they cannot afford basic necessities such as milk, electricity and water.
For the Christian community, the greatest fear is what comes next.
The combination of land loss, insecurity, unemployment, restrictions and economic hardship is pushing more Christian families to consider leaving their homeland.
Fr. Khoury's warning is stark: “Time is running out.”
Christianity in the Holy Land is not simply a chapter of ancient history. These are living communities whose roots stretch back to the earliest centuries of the faith. Their continued presence matters.
✝️ Please support the mission of the Holy Orthodox Order of Saint George the Great Martyr as we work to preserve and strengthen the Christian presence throughout the Holy Land and the Middle East.
