At dawn on Friday, settlers attacked the village of Marda, north of Salfit, setting fire to the village mosque and leaving behind racist slogans scrawled across its walls. The incident has sparked outrage and concern, with Palestinian officials calling for urgent international action.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a statement condemning the attack, describing it as a clear act of racism and part of a broader pattern of violence targeting Palestinians. The Ministry placed blame on what it called “widespread incitement campaigns” driven by the extreme right within the Israeli government.
Rising Violence and Government Support for Settler Militias
In its statement, the Ministry highlighted the increasing frequency of settler attacks, framing them as part of a systematic effort to intimidate and displace Palestinian communities. It described these settler groups as “armed and organized militias” that operate with official backing from the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This attack is an extension of a long series of violations and crimes,” the Ministry said. “The settler militias are not rogue actors – they are supported, protected, and emboldened by the policies of the Netanyahu government.”
The burning of the mosque in Marda is the latest in a series of violent incidents across the West Bank, where tensions between Palestinians and settlers continue to escalate. Rights groups have warned that settler violence is intensifying, with Palestinian towns and villages bearing the brunt of these confrontations.
Ministry Calls on UN to Activate International Protection System
In response to the attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called on the United Nations to take immediate action to protect Palestinian civilians. Specifically, the Ministry urged the UN Security Council and Secretary-General António Guterres to activate the international protection system – a mechanism designed to shield civilians from violence and conflict.
The Ministry’s statement emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that failure to intervene could lead to further bloodshed. “The war of extermination against our people must be stopped immediately,” the statement read. “We call on the international community to adopt binding measures that enforce international legitimacy and compel Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian land.”
Escalating Tensions in the West Bank
The attack on Marda Mosque has amplified fears of a broader escalation in the region. Salfit, where Marda is located, is part of a wider area in the West Bank that has experienced repeated settler incursions and clashes. Palestinian residents frequently report attacks on their homes, agricultural land, and places of worship, often with little intervention from Israeli authorities.
The latest attack also underscores the fragile nature of the current situation, with diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions yielding limited results. Palestinian officials have repeatedly warned that without international intervention, the cycle of violence will persist, pushing the region closer to large-scale conflict.
International Response and Next Steps
As of now, there has been no official response from Israeli authorities regarding the burning of the mosque. However, Palestinian officials are pushing for immediate action from global leaders, framing the incident as part of a broader effort to delegitimize Palestinian existence in the West Bank.
The Ministry concluded its statement by reiterating its call for justice, urging the international community not to stand by in silence. “The time for statements and condemnation has passed. Concrete steps must be taken to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure the safety and dignity of our people.”
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