On Thursday, the foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy—often called the E4—publicly condemned a "massive increase" in Israeli settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
They cited new figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showing 264 settler attacks in October, the highest monthly total since the UN began tracking these incidents in 2006. "These attacks must stop," the ministers said, warning that the escalation "sows terror among civilians" and risks undermining both regional security and ongoing peace efforts.
In their joint statement, the E4 urged the Israeli government to meet its obligations under international law by improving protection for Palestinians, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and addressing the root causes of violence. They stressed that public condemnations by Israeli leaders "must be translated into action."
The ministers also renewed their opposition to any form of annexation—partial, total or de facto—and criticized settlement policies they said violate international law. They warned that further weakening of the Palestinian Authority would harm governance prospects in Gaza and undercut hopes for a lasting solution.
Reaffirming support for a negotiated two-state solution, the E4 called on all parties to revive meaningful dialogue and restore momentum toward a just and stable peace.
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France, UK, Germany, Italy FMs urge Israel to protect Palestinians
cgtn.com
