UN Envoy: “Israel” Should Act Against Settlers

A senior UN official condemned attacks by Jewish "settler extremists" on Palestinians' olive trees in the occupied West Bank.

Robert Serry, UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, called on "Israel" to counter violence and terror carried out by the settlers, and to make sure assailants are brought to justice.
He also said he was alarmed that work had started on hundreds of new homes for settlers in the occupied territory since the end of "Israel's" settlement freeze last month.

Serry was speaking to journalists on Tuesday while olive-picking with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in the village of Tormos Ayya north of Ramallah. He said settlers had destroyed hundreds of trees in the village in recent weeks.

Palestinians began harvesting olives across the West Bank this month.

"I am appalled at acts of destruction of olive trees and farmlands, desecration of mosques and violence against civilians," Serry said. ""Israel" states its condemnation of attacks, which I welcome, but its record in imposing the rule of law on settlers is lamentable," he said.

""Israel" must combat violence and terror by "Israelis", as is expected of the Palestinian Authority in the case of violence and terror by Palestinians," he added.

Serry said new building was illegal under international law "and will only serve to undermine our efforts for a negotiated solution".

The "Israeli" human rights organization B'Tselem has recorded almost one incident a day and in some cases more against Palestinians and their olive trees since the start of the harvest, spokeswoman Sarit Michaeli said.

"But this is their obligation ... the Israeli authorities have failed miserably in enforcing law on settlers attacking Palestinians and their property," she said.

Meanwhile, settler leaders warned Tuesday night that building would soon come to a grinding halt in nine of the largest settlements unless the relevant government ministries immediately authorize 4,321 planned units.