20/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 November, the French EU Presidency strongly condemned the violence and exaction committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank against Palestinian civilians and called on Israeli authorities to take the measures necessary to put a stop to it. A spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry said: “It is unacceptable for the olive harvest, which is essential for the economy of the Palestinian territories, and the other Palestinian activities to be thus hampered by the surge in violence and unlawful acts”. He went on to say that “the EU points out that it is the responsibility of the Israeli government (…) to take the necessary measures to put an immediate end to this, in line with its international obligations”. (H.B./transl.jl)