Palestinians within the occupied West Financial institution are in shock after Israeli settlers devastated a village in a single day, killing a 23-year-old man and wounding a number of others within the newest incident of lethal violence in opposition to Palestinians within the space.
The Palestinian Well being Ministry stated Friday that Mahmoud Abdel Qader Sadda was fatally shot within the assault in Jit, within the northern West Financial institution, about 10 kilometers (six miles) west of Nablus.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers descended on the village, opening hearth on residents, setting vehicles alight and destroying houses and different property, in keeping with witnesses and video footage of the assault.
The assault got here amid a surge in Israeli navy and settler violence in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution, which has performed out within the shadow of Israel’s struggle within the Gaza Strip.
Practically 600 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers within the West Financial institution between the beginning of the Gaza struggle on October 7 and August 12, in keeping with the newest figures from the United Nations humanitarian workplace (OCHA).
Human rights teams have additionally criticised Israel for permitting its forces and settlers to function with “endemic impunity” of their assaults on Palestinians.
The assault on Jit sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians and international leaders, together with these from nations that proceed to supply navy and diplomatic help to Israel amid the Gaza struggle.
Beneath are a number of the reactions:
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian International Ministry condemned the assault as an act of “organized state terrorism.”
“We demand the imposition of deterrent sanctions in opposition to the racist colonial system, the dismantling of terrorist settler militias and the prosecution of their members,” it stated in an announcement.
Hamas
The Palestinian faction ruling Gaza supplied its condolences to the person killed in Jit.
In an announcement, Hamas stated the assault was a part of Israel’s “fascist extermination plans.”
“We name on our folks in all West Financial institution governorates to stand up in anger to discourage the settlers and repel their terrorist assaults,” the group stated.
“Israeli coverage of raids, killings and liberation of settler gangs will solely improve our folks’s attachment to their land and their holy locations.”
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated it considered “with the utmost severity the unrest that passed off” in Jit, “which included assaults on folks and property by Israelis who entered the village.”
“It’s the [Israeli army] “The accountability for these answerable for any crime can be solely that of the safety forces combating terrorism and nobody else. These answerable for any crime can be arrested and delivered to justice,” the assertion stated.
Israel’s Protection Minister Yoav Gallant additionally condemned the violence, which he blamed on “radical people.”
At a time when our troops are combating on the entrance traces, defending the State of Israel, a gaggle of radical people has provoked a riot and attacked harmless folks. They don’t characterize the values of the communities residing in Samaria.
I strongly condemn any type of…
— יואב גלנט – Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 15, 2024
USA
A spokesman for the US Nationwide Safety Council stated: “Assaults by violent settlers in opposition to Palestinian civilians within the West Financial institution are unacceptable and should cease.”
“Israeli authorities should take steps to guard all communities from hurt, together with by intervening to cease such violence and holding all perpetrators of such violence accountable,” the spokesman stated, in keeping with US media.
US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew added in a social media publish that assaults by Israeli settlers “should cease and the criminals have to be held accountable.”
I’m appalled by the violent assault yesterday by settlers in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution. These assaults should cease and the criminals have to be held accountable.
— Ambassador Jack Lew (@USAmbIsrael) August 16, 2024
European Union
EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell stated the assault in Jit “was aimed toward terrorising Palestinian civilians”.
“Day after day, with nearly complete impunity, Israeli settlers gas violence within the occupied West Financial institution, serving to to jeopardize any probability of peace,” he wrote on social media, urging Israel to “cease these unacceptable actions instantly.”
United Kingdom
British International Secretary David Lammy stated he condemned the assault “within the strongest phrases.”
“The scenes of fires and burning of buildings, Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles, widespread rioting and folks being chased out of their houses are abominable,” he informed reporters in Jerusalem alongside his French counterpart.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated {that a} swift investigation can be performed. I hope that this investigation can make sure that those that participated on this settler violence over the previous 24 hours are delivered to justice.”
France
French International Minister Stéphane Séjourne stated that “any act that destabilises” negotiation efforts – notably these aimed toward reaching a ceasefire in Gaza – is “unacceptable”.
“We’re very vigilant and attentive and we denounce this example,” he stated, recalling that France imposed sanctions in opposition to “violent settlers” earlier this 12 months.
Germany
The German International Ministry stated “violence is unacceptable and assaults should stop instantly.”
“Palestinians have the fitting to dwell in security. Israel has an obligation to guard Palestinians within the West Financial institution, to cease these assaults and to prosecute the perpetrators. There have to be no impunity for these acts of violence,” he stated.
We condemn the violence of extremist settlers who yesterday attacked and burned down a Palestinian village within the West Financial institution, the place one Palestinian was killed. This violence is unacceptable and the assaults should stop instantly. 1/2
— German International Workplace (@GermanyDiplo) August 16, 2024
United Nations
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN human rights workplace, stated the violence in Jit was “not an remoted assault”.
“It is a direct consequence of Israel’s settlement coverage within the West Financial institution. We have now been reporting for years about unpunished assaults by settlers on Palestinian communities on their land within the West Financial institution,” Shamdasani informed reporters.
“And that is actually the crux of the matter: the impunity loved by the perpetrators of such severe violations.”
He added that there have been “studies that Israeli safety forces are standing by whereas the assaults are happening” in addition to studies of “weapons being distributed to settlers.”
“Due to this fact, it’s clear that there’s a state accountability on this regard.”
UN Particular Rapporteur
Francesca Albanese, the UN particular rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, stated sanctions must be imposed on Israel following the settler assault.
“The time to behave was a long time in the past: because it was not finished, that point is now,” he wrote in X.
“The violence of the settlers in opposition to #Palestineins is attributable to the State of #Israel and its central and native authorities.”
That is why #sanctions It have to be imposed on the State of Israel, not simply on particular person settlers and the merchandise of the settlements.
The time to behave was a long time in the past: because it was not finished, that… https://t.co/4vpcFYeB65— Francesca Albanese, United Nations Particular Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories (@FranceskAlbs) August 16, 2024
Peace now
The Israeli group described the settler assault in Jit as a “pogrom.”
“That is pure settler terrorism, supported by the state and sponsored by our authorities,” Peace Now stated on X.
