The European Union has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, renewing calls for an end to settlement expansion and attacks on Palestinian communities.

Speaking at the European Commission’s daily press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the EU was deeply concerned by the recent escalation in what he described as the “violent activities of settlers” against Palestinians.

El Anouni referred to recent remarks by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who said the violence being witnessed in the occupied West Bank was a matter of grave concern.

He said the European Union, in coordination with its member states, had condemned the attacks and continued to monitor the deteriorating situation.

The EU spokesperson reiterated the bloc’s longstanding position that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.

El Anouni stressed that the EU has repeatedly called on Israel to halt settlement construction and expansion, warning that the continued growth of settlements further undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state and a lasting political solution.

Settlement expansion has also contributed to the displacement and insecurity faced by Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians have increasingly reported attacks, property destruction and intimidation by settlers.

El Anouni said the European Union had already taken measures against Israelis involved in violence against Palestinians.

The EU has adopted three packages of sanctions targeting extremist settlers and organizations associated with settler violence under its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

According to El Anouni, the measures currently target 12 individuals and nine organizations accused of involvement in serious abuses.

He added that additional proposals for sanctions are currently being discussed by the EU Council.

The measures represent an attempt by the bloc to hold individuals responsible for attacks against Palestinians accountable, although rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger action against settlement expansion and the broader policies that enable settler violence.

Despite the EU’s condemnation, member states have yet to reach a new agreement on further action.

El Anouni said the Council of the European Union had not yet adopted conclusions on the issue, stressing that decisions regarding the bloc’s next steps remain in the hands of individual member states.

The lack of consensus comes as violence and settlement activity continue to place additional pressure on Palestinian communities throughout the occupied West Bank.

For Palestinians and their supporters, the latest EU statement highlights the growing international recognition of the threat posed by settlement expansion and settler violence. However, they argue that condemnation alone is insufficient and that stronger political and economic measures are needed to protect Palestinians and uphold international law.

As Israeli settlement activity continues to expand across occupied Palestinian territory, the EU faces growing pressure to translate its condemnation into concrete measures capable of addressing the violence and preventing further dispossession of Palestinians. (ILKHA)