BERLIN: Germany on Monday called on Israel to “protect” Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge in violence in the territory since the start of the war in Gaza.
More than 100 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, mostly during raids by Israeli forces or attacks by settlers, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry.
Germany condemned “attacks and violence from settlers against Palestinian communities in the area, which have led to the death of many civilians,” German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said.
“We call on Israel to protect Palestinians from the activities of extremist settlers and to hold those responsible accountable,” Fischer said.
“Israel, as the occupying power in the West Bank, is responsible for ensuring the safety and integrity of the Palestinian population in the West Bank.”
The situation in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, was already tense before the war, with regular raids by Israeli forces and an upsurge in attacks by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population.
On Sunday, France condemned “unacceptable” Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
“France strongly condemns the settler attacks that have led to the deaths of several Palestinian civilians over the past few days in Qusra and Sawiya, as well as the forced departure of several communities,” said a Foreign Ministry statement.
“The violence perpetrated by settlers against the Palestinian population is multiplying. It is unacceptable and must stop,” it added.
Israel should “take immediate measures to protect the Palestinian population,” said the statement.
