From the Liveblog of
Monday, April 15, 2024
US condemns murder of Israeli teen in West Bank, demands end to retaliatory settler violence
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller issues a statement condemning the alleged murder of 14-year-old Israeli Benjamin Achimeir, while demanding an end to the spate of retaliatory settler violence that has been unleashed against Palestinians in recent days, with impunity for the attackers.
“We strongly condemn the murder of 14-year-old Israeli Binyamin Achimeir and extend our sympathies to his family and friends,” Miller says.
“We are also increasingly concerned by the violence against Palestinian civilians and their property that ensued in the West Bank after Achimeir’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,” Miller continues.
“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,” he adds.
The Times of Israel Community.