The European Union called on Israel Friday to put an end to violent settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. The statement followed a night of violence near the town of Hebron.
"The European Union once again condemns in the strongest possible terms the acts of violence and brutality committed against Palestinian civilians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank," the EU presidency said.
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| Settlers rebuild demolished structure, attack Palestinians / Ali Waked |
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Right-wing activists respond to tearing down of illegal building in Jewish community of Kiryat Arba by storming nearby Palestinian house, hurling stones and causing heavy damage; Palestinians report photojournalist injured by stone |
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"The European Union would point out that it is up to the Israeli government, which has itself condemned these acts, to take the necessary measures to stop them immediately, in accordance with its international obligations," it said.
Two police officers were lightly injured Thursday night and three women were arrested as security forces arrived at a farm belonging to extreme right-wing activist Noam Federman in the Jewish community of Kiryat Arba in a bid to demolish two illegal structures.
According to the settlers, the security forces used violence against them and injured five of them Friday morning, right-wing activists damaged Palestinian fields and houses in response to the night clashes. The settlers also claimed to have rebuilt the structure destroyed by the security forces.
Hours after the violent clashes, hundreds of Kiryat Arba and Hebron residents and right-wing activists took part in a cornerstone ceremony in the Federman farm.
Kiryat Arba Rabbi Dov Lior, chairman of the Committee of Yesha Rabbis, said during the event that "the expulsion forces activities in the Federman farm remind me of what we went through in Poland dozens of years ago.
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