French foreign minister says settler violence must end in West Bank, calls for ceasefire

France’s Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne called for an end to Israeli settler violence and a ceasefire in Gaza on Monday in Jerusalem. 

The comments came following a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We must also prevent any risk of escalation, to avoid any flare-up in the West Bank,” he said. 

“It is of utmost importance to refrain from any action, decision or statement that might spark violence. Settler violence must stop in the Palestinian territories, which we condemn,” he added.

He also said that violent Israeli statements are becoming “more and more frequent” in Israel, and are being “shared by political leaders”.

“There can in no circumstance be any transfer of Palestinians, neither from Gaza nor from the West Bank,” he said. 

He highlighted the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying that Palestinians are being besieged and deprived of basic aid by Israel, saying that “nothing can justify such tragedy”.