In a joint letter published in The Guardian, Bishops Guli Francis-Dehqani, Rachel Treweek, Graham Usher, and Christopher Chessun accused the Israeli government of actively enabling settler violence. They condemned the "culture of impunity" surrounding the attacks and stated that settlers are “not defying the state — they are doing its bidding.”

The bishops cited recent incidents in Taybeh — the last Christian-majority town in the West Bank — where settlers allegedly attacked churches and land. These acts, they wrote, “undermine the dignity of Christian residents and threaten their historical and religious heritage.”

Labeling settler violence as “an informal tool to annex Palestinian land,” they called for immediate UK action against individuals, settler groups, and illegal outposts responsible for such acts.

Appeal For Political Accountability

The bishops said the UK has both “a legal and moral duty” to intervene. They urged the government to consider suspending its trade agreement with Israel if violence continues unchecked. “The UK government must stop its indecision,” the letter concluded.

Their intervention reflects growing concern among Western church leaders and human rights advocates over the impact of Israeli policies on Palestinian communities, especially as attacks in the West Bank have surged amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

The Church of England’s stance adds pressure on London to reevaluate its diplomatic and trade posture amid increasing international scrutiny of Israeli settler policies.