WASHINGTON, September 10, 2011 (WAFA) - Four days after Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank village of Qusra and a day after another similar attack on a mosque in the village of Yatma, the United States Friday condemned the arson in both villages.

State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, said in a statement that the US “strongly condemns the dangerous and provocative attacks” on the mosques in Yatma and Qusra.

She said that “such hateful actions are never justified. Those responsible should be arrested and subject to the full force of the law.”

Nuland urged “all parties to avoid the potential for escalation.” She warned that “violence will not advance, but will impede, the hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on acceptance and respect.”

M.A.