A European delegation visited, on Friday morning, the village of Turmusaya, north of Ramallah, that was subjected to large-scale violence by Jewish settlers earlier Wednesday.
Representatives of the European Union met with local residents and the head of the village council.
The European delegation was briefed on the recent settler attacks and violations carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, which left a Palestinian dead and dozens injured, while several homes and cars were burned.
For his part, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that “this week’s violence in the Occupied West Bank risks spiraling out of control, fueled by strident political rhetoric and an escalation in the use of advanced military weaponry by Israel.”
The High Commissioner for Human Rights said the sharp deterioration was having a terrible impact on both Palestinians and Israelis, and called for an immediate end to the violence.
International human rights law requires Israeli authorities to ensure that all operations are planned and implemented to minimize the use of lethal force, he said.
“Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in the Occupied West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life,” the High Commissioner said.
“As the occupying power, Israel also has obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure public order and safety within the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
“For this violence to end, the occupation must end,” he said. “On all sides, the people with political power know this and must instigate immediate steps to realize this.”
