London: France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the E4, have strongly condemned the significant increase in settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, they have called for stability in the region, emphasizing that destabilizing activities could jeopardize the success of the 20 Point Plan for Gaza and the prospects for long-term peace and security. A joint statement released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on behalf of the E4 expressed these concerns.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the number of attacks by settlers has reached unprecedented levels, with 264 recorded in October. This marks the highest number of such incidents in a single month since the United Nations began documenting them in 2006. The E4 statement emphasized that these attacks must cease as they instill terror among civilians and hinder ongoing peace efforts, as well as the security of the State of Israel.
The ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom urged the Israeli government to fulfill its obligations under international law by protecting the Palestinian population in the occupied territories. They stressed that the condemnation of violence by Israeli leaders must be matched with concrete actions. The E4 called on the Israeli government to hold accountable those responsible for these crimes and to address the root causes of this behavior to prevent further violence.
The statement also addressed the issue of annexation, welcoming President Trump's opposition to it and reiterating the E4's stance against any form of annexation or settlement policies that violate international law. They highlighted concerns over the approval of the E1 settlement and the surge in housing projects, urging the Israeli government to reverse its policy.
Additionally, the E4 criticized Israel's continued withholding of tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority (PA), describing it as unjustifiable. They called for the release of these revenues and improvements in banking relations between Israeli and Palestinian institutions, as well as increased Shekel transfers. These measures are deemed essential for the wellbeing of Palestinian citizens and the PA's capacity to deliver public services. The E4 warned that weakening the PA could undermine its reform agenda and responsibilities in Gaza, potentially harming regional stability and Israel's security.
The E4 reaffirmed their commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a two-state solution with the State of Israel and an independent State of Palestine coexisting peacefully and securely. They emphasized the importance of a negotiated solution as the only viable path forward.