France, March 21 -- In a joint statement, diplomatic missions including France, Spain and Britain said they were "appalled" by the recent killings.

"We strongly condemn increasing settler terror and violence by the Israeli security forces inflicted upon Palestinian communities," the diplomats said.

"This violence by settler militias, aimed at taking over land and creating a coercive environment, forcing Palestinians to leave their homes, must end."

The statement called on the Israeli authorities to "prevent and prosecute the lethal violence, raids and attacks".

Since the start of March, six Palestinians have been shot dead in settler attacks in the West Bank, according to a tally of data from the Ramallah-based health ministry. '...