Shtayyeh calls for international intervention to stop settler terrorism

Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh called on Friday for international intervention to stop what he described as “terrorism” committed by settlers in the West Bank, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for prosecuting an Israeli minister due to his “racist” statements.

Shtayyeh’s call came in statements conveyed by government spokesperson Ibrahim Melhem, a copy of which Anadolu Agency received.

Shtayyeh called on: “International human rights institutions to intervene to stop the systematic terrorism practised by colonial gangs, in partnership with Israeli occupation soldiers, against our people in the town of Huwwara (in Nablus, in the northern West Bank).”

He pointed out: “One of the village’s young men was executed by colonialist bullets while defending his house, which was attacked by dozens of colonialists last night (Thursday). Dozens of residents and their homes were terrorised, their property was vandalised and dozens of young men and children were injured.”

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Shtayyeh condemned the Israeli army’s arrest on Friday of the head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee, Muayyad Shaaban, and one of the committee’s members, demanding their immediate release.

Since Thursday evening, the town of Huwwara has been witnessing tension that has resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and the wounding of dozens, according to the Ministry of Health and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, hours after a shooting attack targetting an Israeli settler’s car.

Earlier on Friday, the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee announced that the Israeli army arrested its president, Muayyad Shaaban, and photographer, Marwan Al-Agbar, during their participation in an anti-settlement march in the village of Deir Istiya, west of the city of Salfit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in a statement, a copy of which was received by Anadolu Agency, the Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir’s incitement and protection of settler terrorism, demanding that he be put on trial.

“The echo of the positions and statements by the racist Ben-Gvir is causing the shootings committed by the colonisers to increase as well as the barbarity of the oppression and abuse practised by the occupation forces against Palestinian citizens in Huwwara and elsewhere.”

The Commission stated: “Settler terrorism has reached the point of shooting citizens recklessly, without hesitation, and in the presence of occupation army soldiers, with shooting now becoming the norm and not the exception.”

The Commission called on the international community to: “Intervene to stop this Jewish terrorism against the defenceless Palestinian people.”

Similar statements by Ben-Gvir in recent months have led to Palestinian and international criticism.

Ben-Gvir calls for imposing restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank, claiming it is to prevent operations against settlers.

The West Bank is witnessing escalating tension, which is increasing in intensity as settlers and the Israeli army storm Palestinian cities, villages and camps.

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