RNS Morning Report - West Bank Christians face escalating violence

Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village   As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, the West Bank’s last Christian village, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land.   “Taybeh has experienced fires, incursions, attacks on private property, the intimidation of families and obstruction of emergency services,” Father Bashar Fawadleh, the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer in Taybeh, told RNS Reporter Claire Giangravè.   The escalating violence in recent weeks has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted Israel’s military to declare Taybeh closed to non-residents to attempt to prevent attacks.   “This is the worst, the worst crisis that we have witnessed even since 1967,” said Joseph Hazboun, the director of a papal agency supporting Eastern churches who has lived in the Holy Land his entire life.   Read Giangravè’s report on what is at stake.         Top Stories Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village (RNS) — As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land. Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund, trailblazing religion scholar, dies at 87 (RNS) — The Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund began her career in academia in the 1960s and went on to reach a series of milestones for women in theological institutions. Chinese Valentine’s Day is rooted in legend and tradition, not just romance BEIJING (AP) — The festival is observed on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, which fell on Aug. 19 in 2026. Celebrations are also held in Singapore, Vietnam and other Asian countries. Opinion Notre Dame’s John Cavadini taught the forgotten power of fatherhood (RNS) — The university’s Catholic think tank is shifting leadership and was formed by a man who modeled the best of fatherhood and masculinity. ICYMI Cardinal Brislin joins African clergy in calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Drawing on Africa’s experience of apartheid, genocide and war, Cardinal Stephen Brislin and nine other Catholic clergy say Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide — and argue silence is no longer an option. At 70, Sandi Patty sings ‘The Voice I Have Now,’ plans new album (RNS) — ‘It's the perfect song for someone sort of looking back over their career, looking back over life, and realizing God has been faithful all this time,’ Patty said in an interview.       Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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