Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland,
France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom call on Israel to
take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler
violence in the occupied West Bank.
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland,
France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom express their grave
concern about the record number of attacks by extremist settlers
against Palestinians in the West Bank. Since the start of
October, settlers have committed more than 343 violent attacks,
killing 8 Palestinian civilians, injuring more than 83, and
forcing 1026 Palestinians from their homes.
We strongly condemn the violent acts committed by extremist
settlers, which are terrorising Palestinian communities. We
reiterate our position that Israeli settlements in the occupied
West Bank are illegal under international law and remind Israel
of its obligations under international law, in particular Article
49 of Geneva Convention IV.
This rise in extremist settler violence committed against
Palestinians is unacceptable. Israel, as the occupying power,
must protect the Palestinian civilian population in the West
Bank. Those responsible for the violence must be brought to
justice. Israel’s failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute
extremist settlers has led to an environment of near complete
impunity in which settler violence has reached unprecedented
levels. This undermines security in the West Bank and the region
and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.
While we welcomed the Government of Israel’s statement on this
issue on 9 November where it conveyed that action would be taken
against violent perpetrators, proactive steps must now be taken
to ensure the effective and immediate protection of Palestinian
communities. Words are important, but must now be translated into
action.
