European Diplomats Attacked by Settlers in West Bank

Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats, including Belgium’s consul general and representatives from France and Poland, during a visit to the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The incident occurred in the Christian village of Taybeh.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated that a French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle was damaged during the attack. He confirmed that his team was safe and vowed to advocate for further European Union sanctions, linking the incident to Israel’s “illegal settlement policy.” "Impunity for violent settlers must end," Prevot added.

Video footage shared by an activist shows masked young men demanding identification from individuals and others carrying sticks advancing in the distance. The masked men reportedly threatened attendees with death.

This attack follows a pattern of escalating violence during the olive harvest season. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least four people have been killed and over 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month. An attack on Friday reportedly left a Washington Post photographer and others seriously injured.

The incidents occur less than two weeks before Israeli elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, described as the most nationalist and far-right in Israeli history, faces scrutiny over security failures and its policies regarding Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Some senior government officials are settlers themselves.

Israel’s military confirmed the attack on the diplomats, calling it a “severe act of violence.” However, the military noted that the visit was not coordinated with them and no soldiers were present at the scene.

Israeli police have opened an investigation into the incident. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the “severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters” on X, formerly Twitter, and stated his ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the involved countries. Netanyahu's office, however, issued a statement cautioning against “premature conclusions” and raised concerns about a “coordinated campaign to smear Israel.”

Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main rival in the upcoming elections, described the perpetrators as “criminals” and stated they were damaging Israel's legitimacy. The Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, who was injured in a separate attack on Friday, used the term “Jewish terror” to describe the violence, expressing shock and insult at Netanyahu’s comments.

The international community, including the United Nations, considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegally occupied. Hundreds of unauthorized outposts have been established by settlers, often with protection from the Israeli military.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. These territories are sought by Palestinians for a future state.