Israeli police have dismissed allegations that Jewish settlers set fire to the Church of St. George in Taybeh, stating there is no evidence of damage to the holy site and that a small fire occurred nearby. An internal investigation was launched, and the police emphasized that the incident does not constitute a criminal act. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee expressed support for the investigation, highlighting the importance of accountability for any potential crime, while Christian leaders and organizations accused Israeli settlers of desecrating the religious site.
The allegations came after an exclusive investigation by The Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL) raised questions over the fire, uncovering evidence that local Jewish residents had participated in firefighting efforts near the church and raising significant doubts about the cause of the blaze. TPS-IL also documented additional fires on July 7, 8, and 11 in nearby pastureland, located dozens of meters from the church compound. In each instance, a Jewish farmer with a property adjacent to the site filed complaints with police, claiming the areas where animals were grazing had been deliberately set ablaze.
The Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem issued a statement claiming that