BRUSSELS
The EU on Friday called on Israel to prevent increasing settler violence in the occupied West Bank and warned that the situation is "rapidly worsening."
In a statement, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) said recent days have witnessed a "steep rise in settler violence, intimidation, and the destruction of homes and property," including the killing of three Palestinians in the village of Kafr Malik on Wednesday.
"This must come to an end," it said.
The EU urged Israeli authorities to "take concrete action to prevent settler violence against Palestinians and ensure the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable,” the statement said.
"In the current difficult situation, all efforts should be directed at de-escalating tensions," it added.
"The EU recalls that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace," the statement said.
During the June 25 attack in Kafr Malik, a group of Israelis set Palestinians' homes and vehicles on fire. The attackers also opened fire on residents who tried to resist the attack.
According to Palestinian data, as a result of the Israeli army and settlers increasing their attacks in East Jerusalem and the West Bank in parallel with Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, at least 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and approximately 7,000 have been injured.