Palestinians, European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank as calls for action grow

Attack reported near Taybeh

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the people targeted included Belgium’s consul general to the Palestinians, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives. A Belgian vehicle was damaged, and the group also included Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France.

Baudoux told Reuters he was picking olives near the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh to show solidarity with residents when masked settlers attacked him. Polish officials were unharmed, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewior, who said a convoy with diplomats had been assaulted.

Calls for protection and restraint

Prevot urged Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians and ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and called for those responsible to face justice. He said Belgium would seek European Union sanctions against those behind the violence and people supporting them.

Responses and investigation

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced those involved as rioters. He also said advance coordination with the Israeli military might have helped protect the visiting diplomats. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the incident, describing it as a small illustration of what Palestinians experience daily. Israeli police said they had started an investigation; no arrests had been announced at the time of reporting.

Wider pattern of violence

Settler assaults on Palestinians in the West Bank have increased over the past three years, and journalists, activists and foreign observers have also been targeted. On Friday, masked settlers attacked Palestinians gathering olives, and US photojournalist Heidi Levine was hospitalized after being assaulted while covering the harvest.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have at times condemned settler violence while describing it as the work of a small minority. Palestinians and human rights groups reject that description.