European Powers Condemn Escalation of Israeli Settler Violence in West Bank

Joint European Condemnation Issued

France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the E4, have issued a strong joint condemnation of the escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. The statement, released on Thursday, November 27, 2025, urged Israel to adhere to its obligations under international law, protect the Palestinian population, and ensure accountability for those responsible for the attacks.

The European powers expressed 'deep alarm' over the 'massive increase' in settler violence, warning that the escalation destabilizes the West Bank and risks wider regional tensions.

Unprecedented Surge in Attacks

The condemnation follows a significant rise in incidents, with United Nations data cited by the E4 indicating 264 settler attacks in October 2025 alone. This figure represents the highest monthly total recorded since systematic monitoring began in 2006.

The violence has soared since the October 2023 Hamas raid in Israel and has continued despite a fragile truce. Reports suggest that Israeli troops or settlers have killed over 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza conflict. The E4 emphasized that 'These attacks must stop,' stating they 'sow terror among civilians, undermine ongoing peace efforts and ultimately harm the lasting security of the State of Israel itself.'

Calls for Accountability and Adherence to International Law

The joint statement explicitly called on the Israeli government to 'hold those accountable who are responsible for those crimes and to prevent further violence by addressing the root causes of this behaviour.' While acknowledging public condemnations by some Israeli leaders, the E4 stressed that these 'must be translated into action.'

The European nations reiterated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law. They highlighted that settlement activities violate Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and have been deemed a 'flagrant violation' by UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016). The E4 also reaffirmed their opposition to 'any form of annexation – whether partial, total or de facto – and settlement policies violating international law,' specifically mentioning the E1 settlement plan and the advancement of 28,000 housing units this year.

Impact on Regional Stability and Two-State Solution

The European foreign ministers warned that the ongoing violence and settlement expansion threaten to undermine prospects for a negotiated two-state solution, which they continue to support. They also criticized Israel's policy of withholding tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority (PA), cautioning that a financial collapse of the PA would 'only harm regional stability and the security of Israel itself.'