EU: Israel must stop settler violence in the West Bank.
The European Union’s External Action Service said in a statement on Friday, “The situation in the occupied West Bank is rapidly deteriorating. In recent days, settler violence, intimidation, and the destruction of homes and property have increased sharply, including the killing of three Palestinians in the village of Kafr Malik on Wednesday. This situation must stop.”
The EU called on the Israeli regime to take “concrete steps” to prevent settler violence against Palestinians and ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable. “In the current difficult situation, all efforts must focus on reducing tensions,” the statement said.
The European institution also recalled that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace.
Earlier, news sources reported that three Palestinian citizens were killed in an attack by Israeli settlers on the village of Kafr Malik east of Ramallah. According to eyewitnesses, more than 150 armed settlers, supported and accompanied by the Zionist military, attacked the village and, while burning Palestinian homes and cars, faced popular resistance.
In this violent attack, three Palestinians were martyred and seven others were seriously injured. This action took place only a few days after the settlers’ provocative actions and chanting anti-Palestinian slogans against the residents of the area. Experts and international organizations have warned of the continuation of the increasing trend of settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.