Israeli Settlers Assault European Diplomatic Delegation in West Bank Olive Harvest Region

A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to officials.

Belgium condemned the assault on its consul general and the other envoys and called for Israel to bring those responsible to justice.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also condemned what they called “the severe act of violence” and said they were investigating.

However, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast doubt on the incident and suggested it was part of a “coordinated campaign to smear Israel”.

The attack came just a day after Palestinian residents and Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine were injured in a separate assault by settlers in another West Bank village.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the attack on Levine as “disturbing” and “not a good look”.

The incident was also condemned by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who called it a “despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.” Despite being a staunch ally of Israel, Huckabee said the assailants must face “prosecution to the fullest extent of the law”.

In Saturday’s incident, the European diplomats—from Belgium, France, Poland, and the Catholic Church—had traveled to the predominantly Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah.

They were there to assess the situation on the ground following near-daily attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians attempting to harvest their olives.

Video footage from the scene showed masked settlers confronting the convoy, with reports indicating stones were thrown.

Belgian authorities reported that a car from its consulate had a window smashed and a French mayor was assaulted. Video images showed a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned the attack and stated that Israel had a responsibility to bring those responsible to justice.

“Palestinians face this violence every day. Settlers also target journalists reporting on it and diplomats. Harvesting olives, reporting the news, or carrying out diplomatic duties should never put anyone at risk of attack,” he said.

“As the occupying power, Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice.

“Impunity for violent settlers must end. Belgium will continue to press for EU sanctions against those responsible for this violence and those who support them.”

Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, said he strongly condemned the violence by what he referred to as “Israeli rioters” and confirmed that the foreign ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the affected countries.

Nevertheless, he added: “Without detracting from the severity of the incident, it is unfortunate that the visit was not coordinated with the IDF in advance. Such coordination could have helped safeguard the visitors’ security.”

The IDF released a statement saying they “strongly condemn the severe act of violence that took place in the area of Taybeh, during which diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters.”

“According to a preliminary inquiry, no IDF soldiers were present at the scene at the time of the attack,” the military spokesperson added.

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