A priest in the West Bank has warned that the Christian community in Palestinian territories is being "forgotten," following a reported break-in by Israeli settlers at a Christian family's home this week.

Father Bashar Fawadleh, leads the Christian community in Taybeh - the modern name for the biblical town of Ephraim, which Jesus visited. He told ACI Presna that Israeli settlers have repeatedly broken into a home in the community, which a Christian family are waiting to move into. The settlers allegedly drove their sheep inside and vandalised the building.

The family were not present during the attack - but it is part of a wider pattern.

"This is not an isolated incident," said Fr Bashar. "It is intended to make Palestinian families feel unsafe and to force them to abandon their homes and land."

The incident comes the same week as BBC News reports settler attacks on the village of Sebastia, which the United Nations culture and education agency, UNESCO, has declared a World Heritage Site and listed as "in danger."

UNESCO has raised concerns about the "planned expropriation and creation of the 'Samaria' (Shomron) national park," which it says could divide the property, including the historic Cathedral of St John the Baptist (also known as the Mosque of Nabi Yahya).

Father Bashar has called on Christians around the world not to forget about the believers in Palestinian territories.

"Together, we can help protect these Christians — living witnesses and ‘living stones’ in the land where our faith was born and where the first generation of Christianity was raised up," he said. "Keep praying... May God bless you all."