Brussels, 31/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has condemned the “cold-blooded killing” of Palestinian toddler Ali Dawabsha, “presumably by extremist settlers”, in an arson attack on his home on the West Bank. The EU calls for “zero tolerance for settler violence”.
In a press release issued on Friday 31 July, the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said this was is a “tragic reminder of the dramatic situation in the region that highlights the urgent need for a political solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict”. The eighteen-month-old child was burned to death and his parents and another child were injured.
The spokesperson called for “for full accountability, effective law enforcement and zero tolerance for settler violence”. “A full and prompt investigation to bring the perpetrators of this terrible crime to justice is required”, she stated, adding that the Israeli authorities should also take “resolute measures” to protect the local population.
The spokesperson said that “acts like this terrible attack” can easily lead to a spiral of violence and move both sides further away from a negotiated solution. “Restraint and calm on all sides are needed so that the already tense situation on the ground does not aggravate further”, she made clear. The EU also reiterated its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy that “seriously threatens” the two-state solution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu described the attack “an act of terrorism in every respect”. He said he has ordered the security forces to “use all means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice forthwith”. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denouncing a further war crime by Israel, warned he would appeal to the International Criminal Court to investigate the attack. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)