The Spanish Government condemns the serious escalation of violence in the West Bank, which is reaching unprecedented levels. The actions of violent settlers continue to threaten the safety and integrity of the Palestinian population, attacking their property and assets and destroying their livelihoods, such as olive groves and business infrastructure.
Spain reiterates its particular concern about attacks on places of worship, such as yesterday's arson attack on the mosque in the town of Deir Istiya.
The Spanish Government also rejects the policy of settlement expansion, including the latest unilateral decision by the Israeli Ministry of Defence defining the boundaries of thirteen settlements in the West Bank, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
Spain urges the Israeli Government to put a decisive end to violence and impunity and to bring those responsible for these actions to justice. These violent actions jeopardise efforts to achieve peace, based on the US peace plan and the New York Declaration, as well as threatening the viability of the State of Palestine and undermining the implementation of the two-State solution.
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