Malmer Stenergard demands that Israel act

"It is now very important that those responsible are held accountable and that the Israeli authorities stop the violence," she writes in a comment to TT.

The attack occurred on Saturday against vehicles traveling with diplomatic status in territories occupied by Israel.

The incident was recorded on video, which shows the 78-year-old mayor Bernard Baudoux from the town of Aulnoye-Aymeries in France falling to the ground during the attack.

European reactions have been powerful. On Sunday, the EU condemned recent settler violence, including the attack on the diplomatic convoy.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot demanded on Saturday that Israel "stop the criminal violence" and arrest those responsible. His Belgian counterpart made a similar call:

"Belgium condemns the expansion of settlements and attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land," he wrote on X.

Malmer Stenergard shares the criticism in a comment to TT:

"Settlements and the settlement policy are contrary to international law, undermine the two-state solution and contribute to an increased level of conflict".

Saturday's incident is only one in a series of violent attacks that took place in the West Bank.

On Friday, Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was hospitalized after being assaulted.

The settlers, who were armed with bottles and slingshots, "kicked me for like ten minutes," Levine said in a statement, according to AFP.

Violence in the West Bank has increased sharply since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, over 1,100 Palestinians in the area have been killed by Israeli settlers or forces.

In connection with this year's olive harvest, there are regular reports of attacks on Palestinians.