EU summit to address West Bank settler violence, top German official says

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - European Union leaders will discuss the ongoing Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank when they meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, a top German official said.

Settler violence in the West Bank will be “discussed again” and there will be “an exchange at the leadership level,” the official told media representatives in Berlin on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Asked about what European heads of states and government would specifically discuss on the issue, the official did not elaborate.

The 27-nation bloc has repeatedly expressed “grave concern” about the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank where settler violence, intimidation, and destruction of homes and property have continued to surge over the past months, especially since the Gaza war in October.

It has called on Israel “to step up efforts to prevent recurrent settler violence against Palestinians and ensure the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable.”

The EU recalled also that settlements are “illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace.”

Germany has already criticized plans by the Israeli military to move the control of occupied West Bank to pro-settler groups.​​​​​​​