The Spanish Government condemns the unacceptable escalation of violence in the West Bank that began on 28 February, and expresses its deep dismay and condemnation of the deaths of Palestinian citizens in the West Bank, as well as the persecution and systemic violence inflicted upon Israeli activists who defend the rights and dignity of Palestinians.
The unpunished actions perpetrated by violent settlers undermine the security and integrity of the Palestinian population, attack their property and assets, and destroy their livelihoods, such as olive groves or business infrastructure, ultimately forcing the displacement of Palestinians from their lands and homes.
Spain reiterates its particular concern regarding the unacceptable attacks on places of worship, most recently the attack on the Duma mosque carried out by settlers. Spain will continue to condemn all attacks on freedom of worship and any incitement to hate speech on religious grounds.
The violence in the West Bank comes alongside military operations in Gaza that continue to claim the lives of civilians, resulting in more than 650 deaths since the ceasefire, including the death of a five-year-old girl last Thursday, the 12th, in Beit Lahia.
The Spanish Government also rejects all the latest decisions taken by various Israeli authorities to expand their policy of settlement expansion and control over the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
Spain urges the Israeli Government to put a decisive end to violence and impunity and to ensure that those responsible for these actions are brought to justice. These violent actions jeopardise efforts to achieve peace, based on resolution 2803 and the New York Declaration, and threaten the viability of the Palestinian State, undermining the implementation of the two-State solution.
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