Portugal's Paulo Rangel Condemns Israeli Settler Violence in West Bank

On 29 July, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel issued a statement condemning the surge in violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, labeling it a breach of international law and urging all parties to exercise maximum self‑restraint. He reiterated Portugal’s support for a two‑state solution as the sole route to a just, lasting peace. The remarks were made alongside United Nations warnings about settler attacks and Israeli settlement expansion, and followed an Israeli night operation in the Nablus governorate villages of Burin, Madama and Tell that detained 12 Palestinians. Israel has increased its military presence, taken control of four refugee camps and continued to restrict Palestinian movement, actions the minister said further undermine peace prospects. The International Court of Justice had previously ruled the occupation illegal.