Hammond calls for ‘steps to de-escalate tensions’ between Israelis and Palestinians
The foreign minister has expressed his ‘deep concern’ at the wave of violence sweeping across Israel and the Palestinian territories this week, calling for steps to be taken to “de-escalate tensions.”
This week has seen Israel in a state of lockdown this week after four Israeli Jews were killed and several others injured by Palestinian suspects – with five Palestinians shot and killed in response.
On Thursday, at least ten Israelis suffered injuries in stabbing attacks in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank – with one attacker shot dead by IDF troops.
Today, an Israeli man stabbed three Palestinians and one Bedouin city in the southern city of Dimona.
Read more:
- Ten Israelis injured in spate of stabbing attacks
- Nine killed in one week as violence erupts on both sides in Israel
- Israeli man stabs three Palestinians, one Bedouin in Dimona
Mr Hammond condemned this attacks, saying: “I continue to be deeply concerned by violent clashes across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel which have resulted in a number of deaths and hundreds of injuries.”
We condemn all acts of violence, including attacks by Palestinians and by Israeli settlers. We urge all sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the tensions and avoid actions that threaten to exacerbate the situation.
Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. We understand, and share, the deep frustration on all sides at the lack of progress on the Middle East Peace Process.
The current violence underlines that a just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue.”
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