Wellington: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed his country's concern on Monday regarding the escalation of attacks by Israeli colonists and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This statement was made during a phone call between Peters and his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the statement issued by the Minister's office and published today on X highlighted Peters' concern over the increasing violence by settlers and the expansion of settlements, as well as the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Peters reiterated New Zealand's support for Israel's right to security, emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution for sustainable peace.
Peters also mentioned his plans to discuss these issues with his Palestinian counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian Shahin. This dialogue occurs amid rising international alarm over the actions of Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
According to United Nations data, more than 1,430 attacks by Israeli settlers have been recorded since early 2026, impacting around 260 Palestinian communities. These attacks, along with demolition and displacement activities, have displaced approximately 3,800 Palestinians, with nearly half of them being children. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported 628 attacks by settlers in August alone.
Further data from Palestinian sources indicate that about 750,000 Israeli settlers live in illegal settlements and outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.