OUR France characterizes “unacceptable” violence against Palestinians civilians in the occupied West Bank following the crackdown by Jewish settlers following yesterday’s armed attack in which two Israelis were killed.

“France strongly condemns the attack that claimed the lives of two Israelis on 26 February. Violence against Palestinian citizens is unacceptable,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Paris is “watching with great concern the violence in the West Bank and especially in Huvar, which threatens to spiral out of control.”

“France calls on all parties to refrain from inciting this violence and to promote de-escalation” and “calls on the Government of Israel, in accordance with its responsibilities as an occupying power, to protect Palestinian citizens and bring to justice those responsible for the violence.” .

Berlin: escalation must be avoided

The Palestinian city of Huwara in the occupied West Bank came under attack by Jewish settlers last night after two settlers were shot dead by a Palestinian militant in what the Israeli government called a “Palestinian terrorist attack.”

Israeli authorities urged Jewish settlers to remain calm.

In Berlin, the German government said it was urgent to avoid escalating tensions in the West Bank.

“It is imperative that the agreements are respected to avoid escalation and that everyone make a promise not to inflame an already tense situation,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christopher Burger.

While condemning in the strongest possible terms the attack on two young Israelis in the occupied West Bank, the spokesman called the retaliatory attacks by Jewish settlers in the city of Huwara “completely unacceptable”.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}