Violence in the West Bank increases, civilians killed, Israel refuses to meet with the EU on human rights

The Israeli army confirmed on June 22 that an Israeli civilian had been shot near the city of Qalqilya in the West Bank. The Israeli government declined an invitation from the European Union (EU) to attend a special meeting to discuss compliance with its human rights obligations under a bilateral agreement with the EU.

An Israeli man was found shot in his car in the West Bank city of Qalqilya on June 22. (Source: Times of Israel)

Currently, the Israeli military and police are investigating the circumstances leading to the casualties but have not provided details. A statement from the Israeli military said: “The military is conducting operations in Qalqilya after an Israeli civilian was identified as having been shot dead in the area.” Israeli media reported that the deceased man was approximately 60 years old and an Israeli citizen of Jewish descent.

In recent days, there have been several incidents of violence in Qalqilya and the surrounding area. On June 21, Israeli and Palestinian authorities reported that at least two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli operation in the city.

Israel said the two men killed were fighters from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group. Violence in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967, has escalated over the past year, particularly since the Israeli-Hamas war broke out on October 7.

According to Palestinian officials, at least 549 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or Israeli settlers across the West Bank since October 7. An AFP poll based on official Israeli figures indicates that Palestinian attacks have killed at least 14 Israelis in the West Bank during the same period.

The Israeli government has rejected an invitation from the European Union (EU) to attend a special meeting to discuss compliance with human rights obligations under a bilateral agreement with the EU, Politico reported, citing a statement from the Israeli and EU delegations.

Politico reported: “In any case, we will not agree to the establishment of a special Assembly Council, even if the Supreme Representative wishes to convene it. We cannot use the Assembly Council as leverage for… political purposes.” According to Politico, in May, EU ministers decided to convene a special Assembly Council with Israel to discuss compliance with human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Agreement, in light of the increasing humanitarian losses due to Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Instead, Israel expressed its willingness to convene a summit of the Association Council in the second half of this year, when Hungary, a country that supports Israel within the bloc, will chair the talks between EU countries.

In late May, EU High Representative Josep Borrell announced that EU foreign ministers were discussing the possibility of partially suspending the Association Agreement with Israel due to Tel Aviv's actions in the Gaza Strip. He explained that they were discussing the clause of the agreement relating to humanitarian law. Earlier, Spain had urged Borrell to examine whether Israel was complying with its human rights obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bao-luc-o-bo-tay-gia-tang-dan-thuong-thiet-mang-israel-tu-choi-hop-voi-eu-ve-nhan-quyen-275940.html