France condemns Israel’s “policy of terror”in the West Bank
France condemned the brutal attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by Israeli settlers as well as calling on the authorities to protect Palestinians from assaults, according to Reuters.
In addition to what has been seen as a genocide in the besieged Gaza, over 11,000 have died in the enclave since October 7, the West Bank has seen 58 people being murdered and over 1,000 wounded by Israeli forces since November 11.
The West Bank has been under the occupation of a trigger-happy Israeli state since 1967 as the world looks on in horror at the war crimes taking place against the Palestinian people.
French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legende told a press conference on November 16, “Concerning the West Bank, I’d like to express the strongest condemnation by France of the violence carried out by the settlers against the Palestinians.”, adding “Violence which has the clear objective of forced displacement of the Palestinians and a policy of terror.”
READ:Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Gunman in West Bank Clash
Many diplomats have echoed her sentiments. Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, voiced his concerns at the hostilities that people are facing in the West Bank, home to nearly 3 million Palestinians.
Recently, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borell called for an immediate end to brutalities against Palestinians living in the occupied territory.
As the conflict between Israel and Gaza rages on, most countries have demanded a ceasefire in the region, the US and UK, strong allies of Israel, have been against the concept.
Recently, a vote took place in the British parliament on a motion supporting an immediate cessation of hostilities.
125 MPs voted in favour of a ceasefire whilst 268 rejected calls for it. Notably, no lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party voted in favour nor did the leader of the opposition Labour Party Keir Starmer.
In the US, a lawsuit was filed against Biden’s administration on November 13 for their Gaza stance. The American President alongside Secretary of State Anthony Blinken are in opposition to an end to the conflict.
Those in opposition to a ceasefire argue that such move would be playing into Gaza-controlling militant group Hamas’ hands.
Reuters
