French foreign minister decries 'unprecedented' violence by 'extremist settlers' in West Bank

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday described violence by “extremist settlers” against Palestinians in the West Bank as “unprecedented.” “The development of illegal settlement activity in the West Bank is accompanied by an unprecedented and unparalleled escalation of unbearable violence committed by extremist settlers against Palestinians,” said Barrot. He said the violence threatened “the security of Palestinians, of course, but also the security of Israel and the stability of the region.” Barrot said France, along with the UK, Canada, Spain and eight other countries, decided Sept. 8 to ban trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law. He highlighted the importance of holding legislative and presidential elections in Palestine as crucial to allowing the Palestinian leadership to represent the aspirations of its people with renewed legitimacy and preserve the two-state solution. Legislative elections are scheduled for Nov. 28, while presidential elections are planned for the first quarter of 2027, said Barrot. He said he requested the deployment of an EU election observation mission and welcomed EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’ announcement that the mission would be established. Barrot said France would oppose any postponement of the elections. “Depriving the Palestinian people of the most basic dignity of being able to choose their leaders is a pure scandal,” he said. “France will oppose with all its strength any postponement of the legislative and presidential elections.” He said France would work with its European partners to ensure the elections could take place within the scheduled timeframe. “There is no better way for a people to stand up and express its aspiration to self-determination than through free and democratic elections,” said Barrot. He also said the situation in the Gaza Strip remained “catastrophic” and it was “just as” serious in the West Bank. Barrot said France had continued efforts to maintain a political path toward a two-state solution, including through the second Paris Appeal launched June 12 with Israeli and Palestinian representatives.