BERLIN

Germany and Jordan expressed alarm Tuesday over escalating violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, calling on Israeli authorities to hold perpetrators accountable as attacks against Palestinian farmers reach unprecedented levels.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi that extremist settler violence has intensified dramatically in recent weeks, particularly during the olive harvest season.

"The violent acts of extremist settlers have reached a shocking scale there in recent weeks. They prevent olive farmers from harvesting, they devastate entire plantations, they set cars and houses on fire," Wadephul said.

"These settlers are openly pursuing the goal of driving Palestinians out of their communities. The fact that the Israeli government has clearly condemned these acts several times is the right signal. We welcome that and expect those responsible to be held accountable," he added.

Wadephul reiterated Germany's support for a negotiated two-state solution to the Middle East conflict and emphasized that Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem belong together and would form the basis for a future Palestinian state.

Echoing Wadephul's concerns, Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi said violence by Israeli settlers has escalated in recent weeks, with olive groves, properties, and homes of Palestinians attacked and destroyed daily in the West Bank. He criticized Israeli authorities for failing to take concrete action to stop the violence, despite publicly condemning it.

“Although the Israeli government says it does not condone this settler violence, we have yet to see any real progress in the West Bank that would actually prevent the settlers from carrying out these violent acts. These constant human rights violations, which border on genocide, must stop,” he said.

Safadi also warned against Israeli plans to annex the West Bank. “Peace will become impossible if Israel annexes the West Bank in one way or another. That is illegal and contradicts the principles of international law,” he stressed.