European UN members condemn record Israeli settler violence in West Bank

European members of the UN Security Council have condemned a sharp rise in Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, citing UN data showing more than 260 attacks in a single month.

The Council warned that the situation in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is reaching record levels.

Speaking on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, Britain’s UN ambassador James Kariuki said 2025 was the most violent year on record in the West Bank, describing the scale of attacks on Palestinian civilians and property as unprecedented.

The remarks were delivered as the Security Council met on Tuesday to discuss resolution 2334, which condemns Israeli settlement activity in Gaza and calls on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.

“We strongly condemn the unprecedented rise in settler violence against Palestinian civilians of all faiths and denominations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with 2025 the most violent year on record,” Kariuki said.

“According to UN OCHA, there were over 260 attacks on Palestinians and their property in October alone. This is deeply alarming. These attacks terrorise civilians, obstruct peace efforts, and threaten the security of Israel itself.”

Further, the five countries noted that the violence is being driven by Israeli settlement policies that violate international law and breach resolution 2334. They warned that continued settlement expansion, evictions of Palestinian families and approvals of new housing units by Israel in Gaza are eroding the possibility of a future Palestinian state.

“This risks undermining the implementation of the 20-Point Plan for Gaza and the prospects for a Two-State Solution, as well as long-term peace and security across the region,” the five European countries said.

The group urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, preserve the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites and ensure accountability for those responsible for settler violence, noting recent condemnations by Israeli leaders must be matched by concrete action on the ground.

“We take note of recent condemnations of settler violence by President Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This must be translated into concrete action that addresses the root causes of this violence, restores stability, and holds those responsible to account,” it said.

The European nations also called on all parties to fully implement Security Council resolution 2803, including respect for the ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access across Gaza through UN agencies and their partners, while urging Hamas to disarm and renounce violence.

Additionally, they condemned Israeli authorities for recently entering a United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem without prior authorisation, noting that UN facilities are protected under international law and said such actions hinder UN agencies from providing essential services to Palestinians.

“Such actions undermine respect for international norms and the ability of UN agencies to deliver essential services to Palestinians. We welcome the ICJ Advisory Opinion of October 2025, and call on Israel to act fully in line with its obligations under international law,” the bloc said.

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