Brussels, 03/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 2 July, the European Union condemned “in the strongest terms” the killing of a Palestinian boy in Jerusalem. “The perpetrators of this act must be brought to justice”, stressed the spokesperson to High Representative Catherine Ashton, welcoming the announcement by the Israeli authorities of a swift investigation. The EU, “extremely concerned about the latest developments which increase the risk of further escalation”, calls on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint”.
On 2 July, a 16-year-old Palestinian hitchhiking in East Jerusalem was kidnapped and murdered. His body was discovered several hours later “bearing marks of violence” in the western part of the city. According to the Israeli military radio, this murder may have been “revenge” following the killing of three young Israelis, who were found dead in the West Bank on 30 June (see EUROPE 11112). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, calling on people “not to take justice into their own hands”. Following this murder, there were violent clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli police. (CG)