BETHLEHEM, West Bank / PNN / 

Palestinian officials and residents are urging European and other foreign governments to move beyond diplomatic visits and statements of condemnation and take concrete action to pressure Israel to halt escalating settler attacks against Palestinians.

Palestinian officials and residents who recently welcomed ambassadors, consuls and representatives of international organizations to areas affected by settler attacks in Bethlehem, including Khala'il al-Louz, Beit Sahour, Abu Najim and Solomon's Pools, said diplomatic visits and statements remain important but are no longer sufficient as attacks by settlers and Israeli forces intensify.

They called on foreign governments to translate what diplomats see and hear during field visits into political, economic and diplomatic pressure on Israel, arguing that continued settlement expansion and attacks by settlers, often under the protection of Israeli forces, require a stronger international response.

Palestinians urge foreign diplomats to move beyond condemnation and pressure Israel to halt settler attacks

The Palestinians questioned the impact of repeated statements of condemnation when, they said, attacks frequently resume in the same areas shortly afterward.

From diplomatic visits to action

Following an official meeting at the Bethlehem Convention Palace, a delegation of foreign diplomats and consuls visited several areas affected by settlement activity and settler attacks.

Jamil Rabaiya, head of the Artas village council, welcomed the delegation and urged diplomats to convey what they had seen to their governments and people.

Rabaiya called on foreign governments to take action against Israeli plans by increasing pressure on Israel to stop settler attacks and protect Palestinian communities.

He briefed the delegation on what he described as repeated attacks by settlers against Artas, as well as land confiscation and settlement expansion.

Rabaiya said Israel continues to announce settlement construction and support for herding outposts despite international opposition. He also highlighted Israeli measures affecting Solomon's Pools, which Palestinians consider part of their land and historical heritage.

He called on foreign governments to fulfill their responsibilities toward Palestinians rather than relying primarily on statements that, he said, Israel increasingly ignores.

The delegation also visited Khala'il al-Louz, where the Horizon Foundation for Youth Development hosted the diplomats and briefed them on the conditions facing residents and the attacks they say have affected their homes, property, security and livelihoods.

Dr. Mohammad Farraraja, head of the foundation, said the visit was important for documenting conditions on the ground and conveying residents' concerns to the international community.

But he stressed that Palestinians want to see concrete measures, including international pressure on Israel to stop settler attacks.

Palestinians seek international protection

Rateb Abayat, head of the Beit Jala, Handazah and Khala'il al-Louz municipal council, said the diplomatic visit sent an important message to residents living under continued pressure and attacks.

He said local communities need greater support not only through media coverage and political statements but also through humanitarian assistance and an international presence that can help protect residents and strengthen their ability to remain on their land.

Dr. Ahmad Hannoun, representing the Islamic Cooperation Organization, said field visits allow diplomats to hear directly from residents and witness the conditions they face.

He urged diplomats to turn their observations and conversations with residents into international positions and action aimed at protecting Palestinians, stopping attacks and taking measures against settlers and those who provide them with protection.

Bethlehem Gov. Mohammad Abu Alia said the delegation's visits to Khala'il al-Louz, Artas, Solomon's Pools and Beit Sahour were important because they allowed diplomats to directly assess conditions and hear residents describe the attacks affecting their communities.

Abu Alia said attacks against Palestinians, their land and property require a clear international position.

He urged ambassadors and consuls to expand their efforts beyond documenting conditions and work toward measures that can protect Palestinian residents and support their ability to remain on their land.

Protecting Palestinian heritage

Palestinian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Hani Hayek said his ministry is pursuing several measures to protect archaeological and historical sites across the Palestinian territories.

Those efforts include increasing Palestinian presence at heritage sites, promoting domestic tourism and restoring and developing archaeological locations so they can be visited and used for cultural and tourism purposes, he said.

Hayek described Palestinian residents as the first line of defense for archaeological and heritage sites, saying that maintaining a Palestinian presence is an important means of protecting them alongside official, legal and diplomatic efforts.

He said the ministry is also working locally and internationally to protect Solomon's Pools and preserve what he described as the site's historical and national identity.

Hayek said the ministry is seeking to have Solomon's Pools included under an international "enhanced protection" system for cultural heritage, which he said would provide additional international safeguards for the site.

Omar Awadallah, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, said field visits by foreign diplomats are an important tool for presenting Palestine's position to the international community and allowing foreign representatives to see firsthand the impact of Israeli policies.

He stressed the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to document what Palestinians describe as violations and to mobilize international support for Palestinian rights.

For Palestinian residents and officials, however, the message to visiting diplomats was clear: witnessing the situation and issuing statements are no longer enough. They want governments to use their political and economic influence to exert meaningful pressure on Israel and help stop settler attacks on Palestinian communities.