German Foreign Minister during his visit to Taybeh: Settler attacks are not unilateral actions but rather organized terrorism

SadaNews - German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephol visited the settler attacks in the town of Taybeh east of Ramallah today, Friday.

He stated that the settler attacks against Taybeh and other areas are not unilateral actions, but rather constitute organized terrorism and crimes against citizens that must be followed up and stopped.

He explained that there have been reports indicating that the Israeli army did not prevent these attacks, or may have participated in them, which concerns the German government.

He was received by the mayor of Taybeh, Suleiman Khoury, the pastor of the Taybeh Church Bashar Fawadlah, and the town's residents, who briefed the German delegation on the details of the repeated assaults on citizens and their properties. The delegation also visited the Al-Khader Church, which was attacked last month when settlers set fire near the town cemetery and the historic Saint George’s Church, dating back to the fifth century AD, on July 7th.

Wadephol called on Israel to adhere to international laws, to pursue the attacking settlers, and to provide protection for Palestinian citizens.

He considered settlement expansion a barrier to the two-state solution and limits the movement of Palestinians, noting that his country's position on this issue is firm, asserting that colonial policy violates international law and emphasizing the necessity of enacting deterrent laws against settlers.

Wadephol added that the German government supports the establishment of a Palestinian state and is involved in any process to build the state, not opposing early recognition of it. He had stated yesterday, Thursday, that his country believes the negotiated two-state solution remains the only way to enable both sides to live in peace, security, and dignity for a sustainable resolution of the conflict.

He indicated that the region is at a critical juncture, and there must be an opportunity for peace and the rule of law, noting that the Israeli government must fulfill its duty for coexistence and peace.

He further added that recognition of the Palestinian state is likely at the end of the negotiation process, but such a process must begin now, and Germany will not deviate from this goal, also indicating that it will have to respond to unilateral steps.

For his part, mayor Suleiman Khoury stated that the visit is extremely important in order to closely observe the repeated assaults by settlers on the town, hoping for intervention to deter them and provide protection for citizens.

Khoury clarified that settlers have launched extensive attacks on the town, including burning, theft, assault on property, and damaging crops by releasing their livestock on citizens' lands.

Days ago, settlers attacked Taybeh, burning two vehicles and scrawling racist slogans on the walls.

On June 4th, settlers established a new colonial outpost on the ruins of the homes of a Palestinian family that was displaced about a year ago after a series of violent attacks in Taybeh.

On July 7th, settlers set fire near the cemetery and the historic Saint George’s (Al-Khader) Church in the town, which sparked widespread church and international reactions condemning the settlers' assaults on holy sites and places of worship.

On July 14th, a number of patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem, along with diplomats from more than 20 Arab and foreign countries, visited Taybeh amid the dangerous increase in settler assaults on the town, its properties, and sacred sites, especially Christian churches and cemeteries.