France bans entry for 28 illegal Jewish settlers over violence on Palestinians in West Bank

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - France on Tuesday imposed an entry ban on 28 illegal Jewish settlers said to have used violence on Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the violence and asserting that it is the responsibility of the Israeli authorities to halt such actions and hold the perpetrators accountable.

"France reaffirms its strong condemnation of this unacceptable violence," the statement said. "As we have said many times, it is the Israeli authorities’ responsibility to put an end to it and prosecute its perpetrators."

France also expressed its support for applying sanctions against Jewish settlers at the European level and affirmed its commitment to working with European partners toward this end.

"Settlement activity is illegal under international law and must stop. Its continuation is incompatible with the creation of a viable Palestinian State, which is the only solution to ensure that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security," it concluded.