UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process strongly condemns two stabbing attacks that took place in Israeli settlements in West Bank – UNSCO statement

Statement by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, on the recent security incidents in the occupied West Bank

 Jerusalem, 18 January 2016

"I strongly condemn the two stabbing attacks that took place within the past 24 hours in the settlements of Otniel and Tekoa in the occupied West Bank, which resulted in the death of Dafna Meir, a 39 year old mother of six, and seriously injuring Michal Froman, a pregnant woman in her 30s. Nothing justifies the murder of a mother in front of her own children.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of all victims of violence.

I am increasingly alarmed by the continued attacks in the occupied West Bank that are taking place almost on a daily basis and call upon the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to take action to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

These tragic incidents only highlight the urgent need for all leaders to work together against the spiral of violence and the targeting of civilians. The volatility of the current situation only serves

the hate-filled agendas of extremists on all sides. I encourage all parties to promote calm and refrain from inflammatory statements and retaliatory actions."

ENDS