EU says 'firmly condemns' Israel settler violence after Palestinian killed in West Bank

The EU on Sunday said it "firmly condemns" Israeli settler violence after a Palestinian man was killed the day before in the occupied West Bank.

Methqal Suleiman Rayyan, 27, was shot in the head by a settler in the village of Qarawat Bani Hassan near the city of Salfit, the Palestinian health ministry said.

"Saddened by yet another victim of settler violence: Methqal Rayyan who was killed on Saturday," the European Union Delegation to the Palestinians tweeted.

"The EU firmly condemns settler violence and is concerned about the growing number of settler attacks.

"This kind of senseless violence will fuel the already tense situation and must stop. A rapid and transparent investigation is needed and perpetrators should be brought to justice."

1/2 Saddened by yet another victim of settler violence: Mithqal Rayyan who was killed on Saturday at Qarawat Bani Hassan village. The EU firmly condemns settler violence and is concerned about the growing number of settler attacks.

— EU and Palestinians (@EUpalestinians) February 12, 2023

Rayan's killing came on the same day Israeli settlers targeted a 70-year-old Palestinian shepherd near Jericho.

Three settlers physically assaulted the man in a pasture near the city, Bedouin rights activist Hasan Mleihat was cited as saying by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

He was made to depart the area at gunpoint, Mleihat said.

Last month it was reported that Israeli settlers had attacked a group of hikers north of Jericho, using tear gas and batons and inflicting broken bones and facial burns.

Videos on social media showed the settlers swinging wildly at the hikers, screaming in Hebrew and Arabic, saying: "I'm going to break your hands – I'm going to break your heads."

None of the walkers responded with violence despite the repeated attacks.

An Italian national in the group received a fracture on her arm from a blow by one of the settlers.

So far this year, 47 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to a tally by The New Arab.

Settlers now number more than half a million in the West Bank, a pro-settler group said earlier this month.

The report, by WestBankJewishPopulationStats.com and based on official figures, put the settler population at 502,991 as of 1 January, rising more than 2.5 percent in 12 months and nearly 16 percent over the last five years.

In East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in 1980 in a move not recognised by the international community, there are over 200,000 settlers.

Settlements have flourished under every Israeli government, despite their violating international law.

The West Bank and East Jerusalem are together home to some three million Palestinians.

Agencies contributed to this report.