The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine strongly condemned the brutal attack carried out by extremist Israeli settlers against Ms. Najat Eid (62) in the town of Birzeit, and affirmed that this crime reflects the escalating pattern of organized settler terrorism carried out under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.
A delegation from the Committee visited Ms. Eid to check on her following the assault, which involved severe physical violence, abuse, and arbitrary detention. The delegation was headed by Committee member Mr. Mousa Hadid and accompanied by the Acting Director General of the Committee, Ms. Hadeel Mashreqi.
According to the details of the attack, a settler forcibly brought his livestock onto Ms. Eid’s private land and began grazing them on her property in a flagrant violation of the sanctity of her land and home. When Ms. Eid attempted to defend her property and prevent this assault, the settler attacked her, pushed her to the ground, and struck her in the head with a stone, causing serious injuries. Her sons were also assaulted while trying to protect her. In a further grave violation, occupation forces detained everyone present at the scene and prevented them from leaving, only releasing them after forcing one of her sons to turn himself in, an act that constitutes collective punishment and deliberate intimidation.
Following the attack, organized groups of settlers launched a series of assaults on the town of Birzeit, targeting unarmed civilians in a clear campaign of collective terror. These attacks were carried out openly and under the direct protection of the occupation forces, which once again chose to shield the perpetrators instead of protecting civilians.
The Higher Presidential Committee stressed that what took place in Birzeit is neither an isolated incident nor individual misconduct, but rather part of a systematic, racist colonial policy based on violence and intimidation, aimed at uprooting Palestinians and targeting them in their land, homes, and very existence. The Committee affirmed that these practices constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as defined by the Geneva Conventions and international law.
The Committee called on the international community, the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, as well as all church and human rights institutions, to move beyond statements of concern and take immediate and concrete action to hold the Israeli occupation accountable and to put an end to the escalating settler terrorism in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
The Committee reaffirmed its firm support for the people of Birzeit and all Palestinian communities facing settler attacks, and wished Ms. Najat Eid a speedy recovery, emphasizing that the dignity and steadfastness of the Palestinian people in defending their land and homes will remain stronger than all attempts at terror and intimidation.
