Western nations urge 'Israel' to end settler violence in West Bank
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UN figures reveal that daily settler attacks in the occupied West Bank have more than doubled since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
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Israeli settlers in the newly established settlement of "Eviatar" near Nablus in July 2021 (AFP)
Western countries and the European Union urged "Israel" on Friday to "take concrete steps to halt unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank," according to a joint statement issued by France's Foreign Ministry.
Excluding Germany and the US, the countries of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the European Union, and several other European countries pointed out "an unprecedented number of attacks perpetrated by extremist settlers" since early October, in which over 250 Palestinians have been killed.
UN figures demonstrated that daily settler attacks in the occupied West Bank have more than doubled since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The statement from the countries affirmed that the settlements were illegal and a violation of international law, adding that it was "Israel's" job to ensure the protection of Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as prosecute those responsible in its capacity as an "occupying power".
Read more: 'We are frustrated': Head of Israeli 'Metula' settlement
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli gunfire and settler attacks in the West Bank have resulted in the martyrdom of more than 250 Palestinians during the ongoing round of aggression.
On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced that individuals accountable for settler violence against Palestinians would face entry bans into Britain, aligning with a comparable initiative by the European Union.
In a similar context, Irish Premier Leo Varadkar suggested on Thursday that the EU take action against extremist Israeli settlers to stop their attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank through measures such as sanctions and travel bans.
He said the stance of European countries on the ongoing Palestinian issue is changing, highlighting the increasing support from more European nations for last week's UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a resolution co-sponsored by Ireland, indicating a convergence with the Irish position.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a more assertive stance against settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles announced that the European Union has initiated efforts to compile a list of extremist settlers subject to EU sanctions for their involvement in illegal settlements in the West Bank.
