West Bank Violence

We strongly condemn the murder of 14-year-old Israeli Binyamin Achimair and extend our sympathies to his family and friends.  
 
We are also increasingly concerned by the violence against Palestinian civilians and their property that ensued in the West Bank after Achimair’s disappearance, resulting in dozens of injuries, property damage, and the killing of two Palestinians, 25-year-old Jihad Abu Aliya and 17-year-old Omar Ahmad Abdulghani Hamed.  We strongly condemn these murders, and our thoughts are with their loved ones. 
 
The violence must stop.  Civilians are never legitimate targets.  We call on the authorities to take measures to protect all communities from harm, and we urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions.