UN chief condemns Israeli settler violence in West Bank

UNITED NATIONS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns the attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including arson on two mosques, his deputy spokesman said Tuesday.

"The secretary-general condemns the attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including the reported arson attacks on two mosques, vandalism of private property, and attacks targeting Palestinians and their livelihoods," his deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

"Attacks against places of worship are heinous and unacceptable and risk further inflaming an already volatile situation," Haq said. "The secretary-general calls for those responsible to be swiftly identified and held accountable, in line with Israel's obligations under international law."

Guterres further calls on the Israeli authorities to take immediate and effective measures to prevent further attacks by settlers against Palestinians and their property, including places of worship, and to ensure the protection of civilians, Haq said.

The secretary-general urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, prevent any further escalation, and take immediate steps to restore calm and reduce tensions, the spokesman said.

A new wave of settler violence broke out last week in the West Bank.

On Friday, violent incidents southwest of Nablus resulted in the killing of four Palestinians and two Israelis, injuries to several others, and extensive damage to Palestinian property, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Following Friday's incidents near Nablus, Israel launched a large-scale arrest campaign in the West Bank, detaining at least 80 Palestinians. On Sunday, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in the West Bank and set fire to two mosques -- one south of Nablus and the other south of Tulkarm, according to press reports. ■