Representatives from Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK
visited today the Palestinian community of Huwara to express
their deepest condolences to the victims of the attacks on 26
February and condemn in the strongest terms settler violence.
In Huwara, diplomats were briefed by the community about the
extreme violence unleashed on Sunday when hundreds of Israeli
settlers attacked the village and the nearby communities
of Za’tara, Beita and Burin, resulting in the killing of one
Palestinian and injuring at least 409 others, including 90
children and 136 women. The community members also testified to
the horror they experienced as settlers went on a rampage and set
their homes and property on fire. Visiting diplomats expressed
their deepest condolences to the victims.
The abovementioned representatives condemn in the strongest terms
the heinous and violent acts committed by settlers. The
representatives call on Israel, as the occupying power, to take
all necessary measures to protect Palestinians from settler
violence and to ensure that perpetrators are held to account.
Israel’s failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute violent
settlers is particularly worrying at a point in time when settler
violence has reached unprecedented levels.
Settler violence is a result of Israel’s continued settlement
activities. Settlements are illegal under international law, fuel
tensions and undermine the viability of the two-state solution
and the prospect for a lasting peace in the region.
The abovementioned representatives condemn the killing of
Palestinians and Israelis alike, reject all incitement to
violence and urge all parties to exercise restraint.
