Heads of Mission of the European Union and likeminded countries visit Burqa village following the increase in settler violence in the area

Heads of Mission and representatives from the EU and likeminded countries visited today Burqa Village and the area around the Homesh outpost. This visit follows the continuous increase in settler violence in the West Bank, and especially around the areas around Burqa Village.    

During the visit, the local community, and civil society organisations briefed the diplomats on the increased attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian residents and their property, and the difficulties for farmers to access their lands due to these attacks. Settler-related violence remains a serious concern and settlers repeatedly raid the village, vandalize property and agricultural land and clash with local residents.

Recently Israeli settlers have unleashed a wave of vicious attacks that have affected most of the village residents, bringing the decade-long attempt by settlers to seize Palestinian  land in Burqa back into the spotlight. Residents have on numerous  occasions been attacked by settlers, dozens of houses have been assaulted and their windows and doors broken. Military checkpoints have been erected around Burqa and its entrances have been blocked, leaving some neighbourhoods completely sectioned off and isolated. These measures have forced about 8,000 Palestinians to rely on long detours, disrupting their access to economic livelihoods and essential services.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in 2021, there were 496 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians (370 resulting in property damage and 126 resulting in casualties). In 2020, there was a total of 358-recorded attacks. Settler violence has become a systematic occurrence in the West Bank with a significant economic and psychological impact on the local population. It threatens several fundamental rights of the Palestinians, including the rights to freedom of movement and security of person. 

“Settler violence remains a serious concern all over the West Bank, and especially in the Nablus Governorate. We are witnessing the highest recorded levels of violence in recent years and more severe incidents, in many instances leading to lives being lost. We have heard today the personal experiences of the families exposed to settler violence. There can be no justification for such acts; they must be condemned by all. In addition, these acts must be investigated by the Israeli authorities and actions have to be taken to prevent settler violence and protect Palestinians in occupied lands in line with International Law. We are concerned that the situation may not only further deteriorate, but also have a severe impact on the overall security situation in the West Bank. The continuing violence, incitement to violence, as well as attacks against civilians exacerbate mistrust and undermine steps towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” said the European Union Representative Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff.