St. George Church in Taybe is Completely Unharmed 

The Binyamin Regional Council has quashed a vicious rumor that spread like wildfire through international media, falsely accusing local residents of torching the historic Saint George Church in the village of Taybeh. A video from the scene, coupled with swift action by the council and direct talks with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, proved the church was untouched, exposing the claim as a baseless blood libel aimed at smearing Israel’s image.

Over the past week, influencers and media outlets pushed a narrative that Binyamin residents deliberately set a fire that supposedly engulfed the ancient church. The story gained traction, reaching global Christian audiences and damaging Israel’s reputation. Even Ambassador Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israel, initially condemned the alleged arson after visiting Taybeh. But the truth came to light when the council’s foreign affairs media desk released footage showing the church completely intact, with no fire damage. The Israel Police backed this up, confirming the blaze was limited to nearby areas and never touched the church.

Governor Yisrael Ganz, who also chairs the Yesha Council, worked closely with Huckabee to set the record straight. After reviewing the evidence, Huckabee issued a public clarification, retracting the arson claims. Adding to the debunking, footage circulated as “proof” of the residents’ guilt actually showed Jewish shepherds frantically trying to douse the flames with firefighting tools they carried.

Ganz didn’t hold back, saying, “This was a modern blood libel, cooked up to frame our brave Binyamin residents. Anti-Israel actors are hell-bent on driving a wedge between us and our Christian allies with lies and fake accusations. I’m deeply grateful to Ambassador Huckabee for his integrity and for standing with us to uncover the truth. His voice carries weight with Christians worldwide, and his commitment deals a blow to those trying to defame Israel.”

Eliana Passentin, an archaeologist and director of the council’s foreign desk, took matters into her own hands. “When Christian friends reached out, worried about the church, I went to Taybeh myself,” she said. “I filmed the church, completely unharmed. The brush fire couldn’t even get past the stone walls of the church’s garden. We’re determined to find out who started that fire nearby. Huckabee’s friendship and honesty mean the world to us.”

The council’s quick response and Huckabee’s clarification have turned the tide, but the incident is troubling because it goes to the persistent efforts to tarnish Israel’s image.