The Israel Police announced Monday that, contrary to previous reports, the Church of Saint George in the Christian village of Tabyeh was not damaged by a nearby fire.I have been following this story for a while, trying to piece together what actually happened from conflicting reports."Contrary to misleading reports, no damage was caused to the Church of Saint George in Taybeh. The fire was limited to an adjacent open area, not the holy site. Emergency services received reports from local residents, including both Israelis and one Palestinian caller," the police stated.
Noting that they have started a "thorough investigation", the Police statement added, "If arson is confirmed, justice will be pursued regardless of race or background. Due process is based on facts, not headlines."
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Briefly, on 7 and or 8 July, there was a fire in a field adjacent to the stone ruins of the fifth-century Church of Saint George in Taybeh, on the West Bank. Apparently there was another fire in the same vicinity on the 11th. Contrary to some reports, the church was not damaged. Jewish settlers were accused of starting the fires, but so far I have not seen any evidence advanced for who, if anyone, set them. The fires are under investigation. If they were arson, the perpetrators need to be brought to justice.
I am pretty sure that these specifics are correct. I am not certain of exactly how many fires were involved. The above article has the most detailed account I could find of the current state of the story. It includes photographic and video evidence and more details. But the story remains in some flux.
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