Germany urges Israel to stop violence by illegal settlers, protect Palestinians

BERLIN (AA) – Germany, a staunch Israel supporter, has come round to strongly condemn the rising violence perpetrated by illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinians, urging the Israeli government to take the necessary measures to stop such attacks.

“We condemn the violence of extremist settlers who attacked and set fire to a Palestinian village in the West Bank yesterday,” a German Foreign Ministry statement has said.

“This violence is unacceptable, the attacks must stop immediately. Palestinians have a right to live in safety. Israel has an obligation to protect Palestinians in the West Bank, to stop these attacks, and to prosecute the perpetrators,” it added.

Earlier on Thursday evening, illegal Israeli settlers killed a Palestinian citizen, seriously injured another and set fire to four homes and six vehicles owned by Palestinians during an incursion into the village of Jit in the West Bank, according to the local media reports.

Witnesses reported that the Israeli army provided protection to the settlers during their raid on the village.

Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have spiked since October 7, according to Palestinian sources. At least 18 Palestinians have been killed and 785 injured in those attacks.

The methods employed by illegal Israeli settlers varied from firing live ammunition to beatings, stoning vehicles, and attacking homes, families, and farmers.

Germany has gone all-out in support of Israel since October 7, when the genocidal assault on Gaza began. It is one of the biggest suppliers of military aid to Israel alongside the US.