COLOMBO : The Palestinian leadership recently called on the United Nations and the United State to force Israel to stop Israeli settler violence and illegal acts carried out on daily basis against Palestinian residents in the West Bank, urging for international protection for the Palestinians, a press release from the Palestinian embassy here stated here on Monday, December 27.
In the statement by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, it was mentioned that the Palestinian Authority urged the US administration to pressure Israel as an occupying power: “to stop the settlers’ terrorism, attacks and crimes committed against defenseless Palestinians, their town and villages.” The ministry called on UN secretary-general to immediately activate the international protection system for Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation.
“Groups of armed Jewish terrorists, protected by Israeli occupation forces, opened live fire with the intention to kill unarmed Palestinian’s citizens. They raided homes, inspected them and attempted to kidnap Palestinians,” said the statement.
This new Israeli dangerous escalation came after the support and the appreciation of Israeli Prime Minister to soldiers who open fire and intentionally kill Palestinians. Palestinian Foreign Minister affirmed that there is a careful follow-up at all levels and forums of all Israeli measures and policies against citizens, their lands, and properties, especially after the announcement of new rules of engagement which allow soldiers to open fire at Palestinian who throw stones, even if they are fleeing.
As a result of this new wave of escalation, hundreds of Palestinians were wounded during fierce clashes near the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
247 protesters were injured by the fire of Israeli occupation soldiers in the village of Burqa, northwest of Nablus city. Among the wounded, ten were shot by live ammunition and 48 by rubber-coated metal gunshots, several suffering serious injuries. These escalations broke out when the Israeli illegal settlers closed several roads leading to several Palestinian village and cities preventing people from reaching their homes.
Again, Palestinian Foreign Minister holds the Israeli government, fully and directly responsible for the comprehensive Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people. Even though the world is celebrating Christmas and New year, settlers supported and protected by the Israeli occupation forces continued in escalating aggression against defenseless Palestinian residents.
