UN Condemns Burning of a Mosque by Zionist Settlers in West Bank

UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday condemned the burning of the Al-Hajja Hamida Mosque in the governorate of Salfit in the occupied West Bank by extremist Zionist settlers, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, expressing his “deep concern.”

“The secretary-general firmly condemns the attack reported by Israeli settlers against a mosque in Deir Istiya in the occupied West Bank,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a press briefing held on Thursday.

He stressed that “acts of violence and blasphemy targeting religious sites are unacceptable,” adding that such locations “must be respected and protected at all times.”

“These kinds of incidents are part of an escalating trend that heightens tensions, and they must be stopped immediately,” Dujarric said.