West Bank: Israeli settlers attack EU diplomats
Quick Look
- Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned an attack by masked Israeli settlers on diplomats from Belgium, France, and Poland, as well as a French mayor, during a visit to Taybeh in the occupied West Bank.
- Israeli police opened an investigation, while Israel's foreign minister also criticized the violence, noting the diplomats did not coordinate with the military.
- The incident occurred amid heightened settler violence during the olive harvest and Israel's election campaign.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred during the olive harvest season in the occupied West Bank, a period marked by recurring tensions as Israeli settlers attempt to prevent Palestinians from harvesting their crops. This year's harvest has been described as especially violent, coinciding with the final days of Israel's election campaign, during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for settler causes.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said on Saturday that masked settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank had attacked Palestinians, Catholic representatives, and Western diplomats and officials.
Prevot said that the Belgian consul general and French and Polish diplomats, as well as a French mayor, were among those attacked.
In a post on X, he condemned "in the strongest terms" the attack in which a Belgian vehicle was also damaged.
Israeli police said they have opened an investigation into the alleged assault of diplomats in the occupied West Bank.
In a separate statement, the Israeli military said the visit was not coordinated with them and there were no soldiers present.
What do we know about the incident
According to witnesses, cars from the French, Belgian, and Polish embassies had brought diplomats to visit Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village in the occupied West Bank.
Settlers then descended upon the area to prevent Palestinians from gathering olives.
Masked men reportedly surrounded a diplomatic vehicle with their off-road vehicles, then demanded identification and smashed a window.
A witness and two diplomats also told the AFP new agency that the settlers beat up Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old leftist mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, a town in northern France.
According to AFP, two people who spoke to him said that he was hurt but did not need to go to hospital.
Israel FM condemns 'rioters'
In a rare statement critical of settlers, Israel's foreign minister condemned the attack by Israeli "rioters" on a European diplomatic delegation in the West Bank.
"I strongly condemn the severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters in the area of Taybeh," said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who also faulted the diplomats for not coordinating with the Israeli military.
The West Bank has experienced an especially violent olive harvest season this year. Israeli settlers have tried to stop Palestinians from harvesting their crops by using physical force.
Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was injured on Friday when she was attacked by a group of Israeli settlers while reporting in the occupied West Bank.
This violence is occurring during the final days of the election campaign. In hopes of gaining their support in the upcoming election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has championed the cause of the settlers.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Israeli police will identify and arrest suspects in the attack on diplomats.
Likely · Within days
European countries may summon Israeli ambassadors to protest the attack on their diplomats.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Israeli authorities prosecute those responsible for the attack?
- How will this incident affect diplomatic relations between Israel and European nations?
- Are there plans to increase protection for diplomatic missions in the West Bank?
- What specific actions will Israeli police take in their investigation?
