European nations condemn West Bank violence, urge to rekindle peace talks

A group of European countries expressed grave concern Saturday that recent violence in the West Bank could derail efforts to rekindle peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians as they called on both sides to restore calm.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain issued a joint statement condemning attacks against both Israelis and Palestinians following an outbreak of violence that left three people dead in the occupied West Bank town of Hawara.

These acts can lead nowhere, except to more violence, the European nations said.

Those responsible must face full accountability and legal prosecution. All unilateral actions that threaten peace and incitement to violence must cease.''

Scores of Israeli settlers rampaged through Hawara on Feb. 26, setting dozens of cars and homes on fire after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman.

Palestinian medics said one man was killed and four others were badly wounded in one of the worst outbreaks of settler violen