The European Union has called on Israel to take necessary measures to protect Palestinians and their property, voicing its deep concern about the rising violence of extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank.
“On 4 April, two Israeli HRDs were accompanying a Palestinian shepherd and his flock of sheep on private Palestinian land when more than a dozen settlers started harassing and threatening them. This is entirely unacceptable,” the EU said.
“Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against human rights violations and fundamental freedoms.”
“Under international humanitarian law, Israeli authorities must take all necessary measures to protect Palestinians and their property against settler violence,” the EU Delegation to the Pedestrians said.
Palestinians are suffering from organized attacks by settlers in the West Bank. The attacks are led by extremist groups.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates (MOFAE) warned of the Israeli government’s escalation against the people, lands, properties, and sacred sites.
The ministry also pointed out that the right-wing parties might exploit the political chaos to pass settlement projects and to Judaize Jerusalem.
MOFAE condemned “the violations and crimes committed by the occupation, and the armed terrorism of settlers in the occupied Palestinian lands, including East Jerusalem.”
It further held the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of this escalation in Ramadan, as well as the negative repercussions on the international and regional efforts to build confidence between both sides and reach calm.
The ministry called on the Security Council to act courageously and to liberate from the double standards policy in dealing with the international matters. It urged the Council to take the necessary procedures to implement the UN resolutions related to the Palestinian cause such as 2334.
