Key facts
- France condemned Israeli settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
- Two Palestinians were shot and wounded by Israeli settlers east of Hebron.
- Israel inaugurated a new settlement, Emek Dotan, near Jenin.
- Israeli soldiers demolished Palestinian shops and properties in the West Bank.
- France called for the protection of Palestinian civilians under international law.
France has strongly condemned Israeli settler violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, following the inauguration of a new settlement, Emek Dotan, near Jenin. The French foreign ministry also called for the protection of Palestinian civilians under international law. This condemnation comes after Israeli settlers shot and wounded two Palestinians east of Hebron. The inauguration of Emek Dotan, built on Palestinian land, is part of a larger plan by the Samaria Regional Council to establish 19 new settlements in the West Bank, with settlers already occupying the site. On the same day the settlement was inaugurated, Israeli soldiers demolished Palestinian shops and properties. Plans also include three new settlements in Gaza and over $400 million in funding for West Bank settlement expansion. The UN human rights office for Palestine has stated that settler violence is state violence, with Israel using settlers for annexation efforts and maintaining impunity for perpetrators.