Masked Israeli settlers attacked a group of European diplomats visiting the West Bank. The officials were there to observe the local olive harvest.
A group of European diplomats recently faced an attack in the occupied West Bank. Masked Israeli settlers targeted their convoy near the village of Taybeh. The officials were visiting the area to monitor local conditions.
Also, the diplomats arrived to observe the Palestinian olive harvest. They wanted to assess the impact of recent settler violence. The group included representatives from Belgium, France, Poland, and the Catholic Church.
Next, witnesses captured the confrontation on video. The footage shows masked individuals blocking the road. Reports indicate that the attackers threw stones at the diplomatic vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Belgian consulate reported a smashed car window. A French mayor named Bernard Baudoux suffered physical injuries during the clash. He stated that settlers beat him with iron bars.
After that, Belgian officials strongly condemned the violent act. They called for the Israeli government to hold the attackers accountable. Belgium also plans to push for new European Union sanctions.
However, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the accounts of the event. They suggested the reports might be part of a smear campaign. They urged people to wait for a full investigation.
Still, the Israel Defense Forces condemned the violence against the diplomats. They confirmed that no soldiers were present when the attack occurred. They are currently investigating the incident.
Then, Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, also spoke out against the rioters. He noted that the visitors did not coordinate their trip with the military. He argued that advance planning would have improved their security.
Finally, the injured French mayor shared his thoughts on the experience. He expressed shock at the extreme nature of the violence. He emphasized that local Palestinians continue to face these dangers daily.