The European Union today expressed concern about the recent violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian residents and human rights defenders in the southern West Bank village of al Tuwani and the South Hebron Hills, demanding that Israel, as the occupying power, must take measures to protect Palestinians against settler violence.

On 4 April, two Israeli human rights defenders were accompanying a Palestinian shepherd and his flock of sheep on private Palestinian land when more than a dozen settlers started harassing and threatening them.

“This is entirely unacceptable,” tweeted the European Union’s office in Jerusalem.

“Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against human rights violations and fundamental freedoms,” it said. “Under international humanitarian law, Israeli authorities must take all necessary measures to protect Palestinians and their property against settler violence.”

Settler violence is rampant in the occupied territories. Settlers are never persecuted for their activities against Palestinians and their properties.