Pope calls to end violence against West Bank Palestinians as settler attacks surge

Pope Renews Appeal for End to West Bank Violence

Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to the repeated violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, urging the international community to advance a two-state solution. The pope's appeal, made on Sunday after noon prayers at his Castel Gandolfo residence outside Rome, comes amid a surge of attacks by extremist settlers and a siege in the West Bank village of Qusra.

"I renew my appeal for an end to the repeated violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank," the pope said, as reported by the Times of Israel. He added: "I urgently ask the international community to take action so as to advance the two-state solution, for a fair and lasting peace."

The appeal follows a plea for help from residents of Taybeh, the West Bank's only Christian village, who sought the pope's assistance amid settler attacks threatening their community, according to the Times of Israel.

The Manila Times also reported the pope's call, noting that he said Israel and Palestine must live side by side in peace within internationally recognized borders.

Siege in Qusra

According to the Times of Israel, the residents of two homes on the outskirts of Qusra had been under siege since August 9, when Israeli settlers surrounded the buildings in an apparent effort to compel their residents, including young children, to flee. Israeli soldiers have since been deployed to the road outside the homes, blocking the occupants from leaving while attempting to prevent the settlers from returning.

The pope's statement did not mention the specific incidents, but its timing follows the ongoing siege and the appeal from Taybeh.

International Reactions and Settlement Plans

The Manila Times reported that US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who supports Israeli settlements, described attacks on Palestinians as a "horrific act of terror" and called the settlers "Israeli terrorists."

Israel has been reported to be planning the construction of 3,400 homes on a strategic tract of land between Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adamim settlement, a move that would effectively cut off East Jerusalem from the rest of the Palestinian territories. A coalition of 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, and Japan, has rejected Israel's move. The European Union and individual nations are reportedly planning to impose strict industry sanctions on Israel, including visa restrictions for those involved in the construction.

The Manila Times also reported that a UN General Assembly vote in September 2025 supported a two-state solution, with 142 nations in favor. Some nations, including France, Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Belgium, have formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state.

Context: Violence and Casualties in the West Bank

The pope's appeal comes against a broader backdrop of violence in the West Bank. According to the Times of Israel, settler violence has mounted, with near-daily, sometimes deadly attacks, but few suspects have been arrested or charged. Critics have accused the Israeli government of condoning or encouraging the attacks, and the Times of Israel noted that IDF troops have been accused of standing by or even aiding in some cases.

The Manila Times reported that since the start of the Gaza war (beginning October 7, 2023), UN and Palestinian authorities have documented high casualties. Specifically, UN Women, UNICEF, and the Gaza Health Ministry reported over 38,000 women and children killed in Gaza, with women and children 70% of total casualties. The UN Office for Coordination in Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported at least 1,122 Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces or settlers in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, including 1,092 children.

Historical Background and Other Reports

The Manila Times included a historical analysis connecting the causes of the current conflict, citing European reports and the 1947 UN Partition Plan (Resolution 181), the establishment of Israel in 1948, and the 1967 Six-Day War and occupation. It also cited a UN Commission of Inquiry that declared Israel committing genocide in Gaza, and quotes from Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, who advocated killing 30-40 people per night. The report also placed the number of Palestinian deaths exceeding 74,000, including over 1,090 in the West Bank, and reports about 200,000 buildings damaged or demolished.

The Times of Israel noted the Vatican has long backed the idea of a future Palestinian state, recognized by more than 150 of 193 UN member states, and that Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and considers it its undivided capital.

The reports differ in scope and emphasis: The Manila Times included sweeping historical and statistical context, while the Times of Israel focused on the immediate steps and specific dynamics of the siege in Qusra. Both reported on the pope's central call for an end to violence and a two-state solution, but neither provided a counterpoint from Israeli officials nor the Israeli perspective on settlement policies. The article has a pro-Palestinian tone overall, with the pope's statement as the central anchor.