Twelve European nations joined by Australia, Canada and the European Union have called on Israel “to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.”
Quick Read
- Joint Statement on Settler Violence in West Bank: Twelve European nations, along with Australia, Canada, and the European Union, have urged Israel to address the escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank. The statement, released by the Swedish government, highlights grave concerns about the increasing attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians. The countries emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility to protect the Palestinian civilian population and stressed the importance of bringing those responsible for the violence to justice.
- Dutch Court Ruling on F-35 Jet Parts: A Dutch court rejected a plea by human rights and humanitarian organizations to halt the transfer of parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel. The groups argued that supplying these parts could make the Netherlands complicit in potential war crimes by Israel in its conflict with Hamas. The court, however, concluded that the Dutch government appropriately balanced relevant interests before agreeing to the delivery. It’s unclear if the groups will appeal the decision.
- Attack on Liberian-Flagged Ship: A Liberian-flagged cargo ship, the Al Jasrah, was hit by a projectile launched from rebel-controlled Yemen, causing a fire. The attack, presumably by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, is part of a series of missile assaults in the Red Sea region, escalating tensions in the area. The exact source of the attack, whether from a drone or a missile, and the condition of the crew remain unclear.
- French-Israeli Hostage Found Deceased in Gaza: France’s foreign minister announced the discovery of the body of a French-Israeli citizen, Elia Toledano, in Gaza. Toledano was reportedly taken hostage during a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7. The announcement was made with expressions of immense sadness, and details of the circumstances surrounding his death are still unfolding.
The Associated Press has the story:
EU, Australia & Canada urge Israel to stop West Bank Violence by Settlers
Newslooks- COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)
Twelve European nations joined by Australia, Canada and the European Union have called on Israel “to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.”
In a joint statement released Friday by the Swedish government, the countries expressed “their grave concern about the record number of attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.”
They said “the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians is unacceptable” and that “Israel, as the occupying power, must protect the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank.”
The joint statement said that “those responsible for the violence must be brought to justice” and that attacks on Palestinians undermines “security in the West Bank and the region and threatens prospects for a lasting peace.”
The European countries are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
HAGUE COURT REJECTS BID TO BAN TRANSFER TO ISRAEL OF F-35 FIGHTER JET PARTS FROM DUTCH WAREHOUSE
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court rejected a request Friday by a group of human rights and humanitarian organizations to order a halt to the transfer to Israel of parts for F-35 fighter jets.
The organizations went to court Dec. 4 arguing that delivery of parts for F-35 jets makes the Netherlands complicit in possible war crimes being committed by Israel in its war with Hamas. The parts are stored in a warehouse in the Dutch town of Woensdrecht.
In a written statement, the court said that the judge who heard the civil case concluded that the Dutch government “weighed the relevant interests” before agreeing to the delivery of parts. It was not immediately clear if the groups that brought the civil case would appeal.
Government lawyer Reimer Veldhuis told the judge hearing the civil case that a ban on transfers from the Netherlands would effectively be meaningless as “the United States would deliver these parts to Israel from another place.”
A LIBERIAN-FLAGGED CARGO SHIP IS HIT BY A PROJECTILE FROM REBEL-CONTROLLED YEMEN
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Liberian-flagged cargo ship caught fire Friday in the Red Sea after being hit by a projectile launched from rebel-controlled Yemen, a U.S. defense official and a private intelligence firm said.
The attack on the Al Jasrah further escalates a campaign by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have claimed responsibility for a series of missile assaults in recent days in the Red Sea and its strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The attacks come as a response to the Israel-Hamas war and the pounding air-and-ground offensive targeting the Gaza Strip, though linking the ships targeted in the rebel assaults has grown more tenuous — or nonexistent — as the attacks continue.
The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the assault.
The Al Jasrah is operated by German-based shipper Hapag Lloyd, which declined to immediately comment about the attack. It wasn’t yet clear if any of the crew on board the vessel had been hurt in the attack, which may have come from either a drone or a missile.
A FRENCH ISRAELI HOSTAGE’S BODY IS FOUND IN GAZA, FRANCE SAYS
PARIS — France’s foreign minister says the body of a French-Israeli citizen taken hostage by Hamas militants has been found in Gaza.
The minister, Catherine Colonna, posted on social media her “immense sadness” at the death of Elia Toledano.
She said the Israeli military announced that his body had been found. He was reported to have been taken hostage at a music festival attacked by militants during Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel.
