UN chief condemns Israeli settlers attack on mosque in West Bank

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has condemned an attack by settlers on a mosque in the north of the occupied West Bank.

The statement was delivered by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing held on Thursday.

He said: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack by Israeli settlers on a mosque in the occupied West Bank,” expressing his deep concern over the incident carried out by Israelis who had taken over Palestinian land.

He stressed that such acts of violence and the desecration of religious sites are “completely unacceptable”, noting, according to Dujarric, that all places of worship must always be respected and protected.

Dujarric added that Guterres condemns all attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, noting that such incidents are part of a growing pattern of extremist violence that escalates tensions.

He also stated that Israel, as the occupying power, has a duty to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure accountability for those responsible for such attacks.

On Thursday morning, settlers set fire to the Hajja Hamida Mosque in the Salfit governorate and sprayed racist graffiti on its walls.