European Diplomats Attacked by Israeli Settlers in Occupied West Bank

A group of European diplomats, including representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, were attacked by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The incident occurred in the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, according to Israeli media and the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. This attack follows a similar incident one day prior, where a Washington Post journalist was injured in another settler assault.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot strongly condemned the attack, linking it directly to Israeli policies in the West Bank. He stated, "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." The group of diplomats also included Catholic representatives.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry echoed this sentiment, condemning the attack on social media and demanding urgent explanations from Israeli authorities, along with the identification and accountability of those responsible. "We are deeply outraged by this incident and condemn it in the strongest possible terms," the ministry declared, emphasizing Poland's consistent opposition to settler violence in the occupied West Bank and calling attacks on diplomats "absolutely unacceptable."

French Foreign Minister Jean-Nöel Barrot described the attack as "outrageous" and urged the Israeli government to promptly arrest those responsible. Videos from the scene showed a French official, identified as Aulnoye-Aymeries mayor Bernard Baudoux, sitting on the ground near a vehicle with a smashed window. Other footage depicted masked settlers, some armed with clubs or riding all-terrain vehicles, blocking roads and demanding identification.

Hussein al-Sheikh, Vice President of the Palestinian Authority, called for international accountability for Israel, likening the incident to the daily terrorism faced by Palestinians and urging international protection. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the "severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters" and confirmed that the foreign ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the affected countries and assisting law enforcement.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that no soldiers were present in the area at the time of the attack and that the visit had not been coordinated with the military. The IDF "strongly condemn[ed] the severe act of violence that took place in the area of Taybeh, during which diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters." Israeli police have launched an investigation.

The attack on the diplomats occurred just one day after veteran Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was hospitalized and required surgery following an assault by settlers while accompanying Palestinians for the start of the annual olive harvest. Levine reported that her camera and passport were stolen during the 10-minute assault, despite wearing a press vest.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously downplayed settler violence, expressed that Israel "unequivocally condemns violence against anyone" but did not specifically condemn the masked and armed settlers seen in videos attacking Levine. Despite strong condemnations from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and President Isaac Herzog, who called the attack on diplomats "outrageous and shocking violence," Netanyahu's office issued a statement on X asserting that "SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS REQUIRE SERIOUS EVIDENCE," casting doubt on the veracity of the settler violence.