I appreciate the concerns you have and was sorry to learn of the difficult experience residents are facing. HM Government (HMG) condemns any incidence of violence by settlers and urges the Israeli authorities to thoroughly investigate every instance to bring those responsible to justice.
The Prime Minister met his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, on 24 March and emphasised the risk of undermining efforts toward the two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary and Lord Ahmad, Minister for the Middle East, met Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, during his recent visit to London on 21 March, where they discussed the vital importance of de-escalating the rising tension in the West Bank.
My Ministerial colleagues at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also continue to raise with their Israeli counterparts concerns about settler violence and the importance of the Israel security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
The UK welcomes discussion by the Israeli authorities on how to address this issue, and urges Israel to bring those responsible to justice.
HMG is clear that Israeli settlements cause unnecessary suffering to Palestinians, call into question Israel's commitment to a viable two-state solution, and, in all but the most exceptional of cases, are contrary to International Law. I join my Ministerial colleagues in calling for their expansion to cease with immediate and permanent effect.
