The European Union is gravely concerned about the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank where settler violence, intimidation, and destruction of homes and property have continued to steeply rise over the past few days after the murder on 12 April, of an Israeli teenager. We condemn all attacks against civilians, including the reported killings of four Palestinians.

We call on Israel to step up efforts to prevent recurrent settler violence against Palestinians and ensure the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable.

The EU recalls that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace. In the current situation, all efforts should be directed at preventing further tensions and to de-escalate.