Middle East Quartet Equates Palestinian Terror and Israeli Self-Defense

On September 23, 2016, representatives of the the Middle East Quartet (consisting of the UN, the United States, the European Union, and Russia), issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over Israeli settlements, not Palestinian terror attacks. Instead, the statement erased the distinction between terror perpetrators and their intended victims, calling on "all sides" to exercise restraint.

In the words of the statement:

"The Quartet recalled its findings from the Quartet Report and expressed concern about recent actions on the ground that run counter to its recommendations. In particular:

• The Quartet emphasized its strong opposition to ongoing settlement activity, which is an obstacle to peace, and expressed its grave concern that the acceleration of settlement construction and expansion in Area C and East Jerusalem, including the retroactive 'legalization' of existing units, and the continued high rate of demolitions of Palestinian structures, are steadily eroding the viability of the two state solution.

...

• The Quartet condemned the recent resurgence of violence and called on all sides to take all necessary steps to de-escalate tensions by exercising restraint, preventing incitement, refraining from provocative actions and rhetoric, and protecting the lives and property of all civilians..."