Palestinian Authority urges France to help resolve issue of settler violence in West Bank

By Awad Al Rajoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Palestinian Authority urged France on Sunday to help resolve the problem of settler violence against Palestinians.

During a meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Shtayyeh emphasized the need to put pressure on Israel to stop violations by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

Shtayyeh also called for opening all crossings with the Gaza Strip to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and fuel and to restore electricity and water services.

He also noted the importance of France's support for the recognition of the State of Palestine with full membership in the UN.

Colonna said settler violence in the occupied West Bank "undermines the chances of reaching a political solution," the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Such acts can lead to new developments and destabilize the West Bank, and this is not in Israel's interest, she added.

Israeli settlers have carried out more than 2,270 attacks this year against Palestinians and damaged their properties, resulting in the deaths of 17 Palestinians, according to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.

Tensions have been growing across the occupied West Bank amid almost daily Israeli military raids into Palestinian towns.

At least 297 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire since the start of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, according to the Health Ministry.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio