European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the rising violence perpetrated by extremists in the West Bank on Friday. The violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. Von der Leyen stated, "We must prevent the spread of violence, and only then can peaceful coexistence be possible through a two-state solution." Her comments came during a press conference in Canada with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and European Council President Charles Michel.
She added, "The Palestinian people and neighboring Arab states need reassurance that there will be no forced displacement, but rather a viable vision of an independent Palestinian state, through the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank, under the governance of a reformed Palestinian Authority. To this end, the unacceptable violence by extremists in the West Bank must stop."
Three million Palestinians live in the West Bank, alongside more than half a million Jewish settlers. The ongoing settlement expansion is among the most contentious issues between Israel, the Palestinians, and the international community.
