Israeli Authorities Imprison Palestinian Anglican Christian
Occupied West Bank - Layan Nasir, a 25-year-old Anglican Palestinian, was taken into Israeli custody on Thursday, October 16, 2025, despite being previously told her seven-and-a-half-month sentence would not begin until November.
Ms. Nasir, a member of the congregation at St Peter's Church in Birzeit in the occupied West Bank, was convicted in absentia last month in September 2025. The charges relate to alleged involvement with a student group designated unlawful by Israeli authorities, dating back several years.
This marks Ms. Nasir's third detention. She was first imprisoned in 2021 and taken back into detention in April 2024. She spent eight months of 2024 in "administrative detention" without any charges being laid against her. She was released in December 2024.
Her 2024 detention drew criticism from Church of England bishops, with then-Archbishop Justin Welby appealing for her release. The Church Times reports that several bishops have been in contact with Ms. Nasir's family in recent days.
The Very Reverend Canon Richard Sewell, Dean of St George's College, stated on Thursday, "The timing is a particularly cruel blow, but it's a stark reminder of what Palestinians are truly up against in the continuing struggle, which is not impacted by the agreement for Gaza."
Canon Don Binder, Chaplain to the Archbishop in Jerusalem, described the timing of Ms. Nasir's incarceration as "suspicious" in social media posts. He suggested that Israeli authorities may be taking additional Palestinians into custody to increase prisoner numbers ahead of negotiations for releasing several hundred Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement.
"If that is indeed the case, let us all pray that Layan is part of that deal, and that she will be released next week to her family," Canon Binder wrote.
THE CRUSADERS OPINION
Imprisoning a young Anglican woman for alleged student group membership years ago raises serious questions about proportionality and justice.
Layan Nasir has now been detained three times, including eight months without charges in administrative detention.
This pattern troubles any believer committed to biblical justice. While Israel has legitimate security concerns, Christians must advocate for fair treatment of all people, including Palestinian believers who share our faith.
Detaining someone without trial contradicts Western legal principles we claim to uphold.
We can support Israel's right to exist and defend itself while also demanding they treat Christian Palestinians justly.
The timing appears politically motivated, potentially using a church member as a bargaining chip.
This is unacceptable regardless of political considerations and she needs either a fair trial, or, to be immediately released.
