Western nations condemn Israel for the surge in settler attacks in the West Bank, reaching a record high since October 7.

Israeli settlers have been responsible for over 343 violent incidents in the occupied West Bank, resulting in eight Palestinian fatalities and over 83 injuries, according to statements from Western countries. Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the EU collectively urged Israel to promptly address and curb the unprecedented surge in settler violence. Expressing deep concern over the attacks that have displaced 1,026 Palestinians from their homes, they strongly condemned the actions of extremist settlers, emphasizing that these acts are terrorizing Palestinian communities. The Western nations reiterated their stance that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and reminded Israel of its obligations, particularly under Article 49 of the Geneva Convention IV. They insisted that the increase in settler violence against Palestinians is unacceptable and called on Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank.