Bethlehem and al-Makhrour, occupied West Bank – This Christmas brings a rare moment of joy and hope for Palestinian Christian activist Alice Kisiya. After years of legal struggles, Kisiya has finally regained access to her family’s land in the Christian village of al-Makhrour, located near Beit Jala in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The victory comes after an Israeli court ruled against settlers who had illegally occupied the land, dismantling their outpost and acknowledging the Kisiya family as the rightful owners.

A Hard-Fought Legal Victory

For Alice Kisiya, the victory is more than a personal triumph. Since 2019, she had been prevented from setting foot on her family’s land due to illegal settler activity. The recent court ruling in June mandated that the settlers vacate the land and dismantle their unauthorized structures, ending a prolonged period of intimidation and occupation.

“This victory shows that one must never tire of continuing the struggle,” Kisiya told Al Jazeera. “Despite all the pressure, the persistence paid off, and justice was eventually recognized.”

The settlers had claimed they legally purchased the land from other alleged owners, presenting documents that were later found to be fabricated. The Israeli court rejected these claims, reaffirming the Kisiya family’s ownership of five dunams (0.005 square kilometers) in al-Makhrour.

Challenges Remain Despite Legal Win

While the court ruling grants Kisiya and her family the legal right to return, she remains cautious. Fear of settler attacks, often supported by Israeli security forces, prevents a permanent presence on the property.

“The settlers left our land, but I do not stay permanently because of ongoing violence,” Kisiya explained, referring to the current Israeli government officials Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who support settlement expansion.

Kisiya’s family has faced repeated demolitions, including the destruction of her childhood home. Her activism and leadership have made her a symbol of Palestinian resistance, especially within the Christian community, demonstrating resilience in the face of systematic land appropriation.

Israel’s Settlement Expansion Continues

While Kisiya celebrates a small victory, Israel’s broader settlement expansion in the West Bank remains aggressive. The current far-right government aims to link East Jerusalem settlements with the Gush Etzion bloc, effectively undermining any prospect of a contiguous Palestinian state.

According to Israeli officials, nearly 50% more settlements and outposts have been constructed since 2022, increasing from 141 to 210. These settlements, though illegal under international law, continue to fragment Palestinian communities and restrict access to land. Plans for new settlements, such as 9,000 housing units on the former Qalandiya airport site, threaten to further displace Palestinians and divide their territories.

Palestinian Farmers Fight Back

Despite legal and political challenges, Palestinian farmers in al-Makhrour are actively resisting land confiscation through continuous cultivation and presence. Farmers like Bashir al-Sous, 60, maintain vineyards, olive groves, and historic wells to assert ownership over ancestral lands.

“By staying on the land and cultivating it, we prove that it belongs to us,” al-Sous told Al Jazeera.

This grassroots resistance underscores the importance of maintaining visibility and daily presence to prevent land theft, even as official legal and political mechanisms often fail to protect Palestinian rights.

The Risk of Legal Evasion

Palestinian legal experts caution against complacency after court victories. Israeli authorities and settler groups frequently bypass court rulings, especially in strategically significant areas, to further settlement expansion and undermine Palestinian statehood aspirations.

“The escalation in settler expansion is part of a deliberate policy to eliminate the concept of a Palestinian state,” explained Hassan Breijieh, head of the international law department at the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.

A Message to the Global Christian Community

For Kisiya, this legal victory comes at a spiritually significant time. As a Palestinian Christian, she hopes that global church leaders, including the Pope, will advocate for the protection of Christian communities in Bethlehem and across Palestine.

“Palestinian Christians are integral to the national struggle. We are not separate from the cause,” Kisiya said. “We face systematic persecution aimed at displacing Christians and Muslims alike, allowing Israel to frame the conflict as religious rather than political.”

Kisiya’s story exemplifies resilience, determination, and faith. Her victory, though partial, serves as a symbol of hope for Palestinians across the West Bank, highlighting the importance of legal action, civic activism, and international solidarity in resisting occupation and illegal settlement expansion.