Settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank village of Taybeh
Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank village of Taybeh on Saturday, during the olive harvest, Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot said.
Settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank village of Taybeh
Who was targeted in Taybeh
Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot. The attack took place in the village of Taybeh, on a second day of assaults during the olive harvest.
Prevot said the settlers targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives. A French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle was damaged, he said, adding that his team was safe.
Belgium links attack to settlement policy
Prevot condemned the attack on the European diplomatic convoy in the strongest terms, saying Belgium condemns settlement expansion and attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land. He linked the assault to what he called Israel's "illegal settlement policy" and pledged to push for further EU sanctions.
Impunity for violent settlers must end.
Israeli authorities, he said, must protect Palestinians as the occupying power.
Israeli responses
Israel's military called Saturday's attack a "severe act of violence" but said the visit had not been coordinated with it and no soldiers were at the scene.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar wrote on X: "I strongly condemn the severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters." He said his ministry was in contact with ambassadors from the countries concerned.
Violence during the olive harvest
Saturday's attack came amid a wave of olive harvest attacks west bank communities have reported since the harvest began earlier this month. According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured in that period.
- An attack on Friday seriously injured a Washington Post photographer and others.
- Activists say Israeli authorities do little to stop attacks involving weapons ranging from slingshots to guns.
- The assaults came less than two weeks before closely contested elections that could end Benjamin Netanyahu's time as prime minister.
Netanyahu's government, described as the most nationalist and far right in Israel's history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over its treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Israeli police have opened an investigation and said they will work until everyone who took part is brought to justice.
