Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in West Bank

Summarised from 5 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 17 Oct, 19:38 · Archive

Masked Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank on Saturday, injuring a French mayor and damaging vehicles.

Masked Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats and officials visiting Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village in the occupied West Bank, on Saturday. Among those targeted were Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and Vincent Dollmann, archbishop of Cambrai. Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, was wearing his official sash when he was assaulted and knocked to the ground. A witness said the attacker shouted 'Vive la France' during the assault. A diplomatic vehicle belonging to the Belgian mission had its window smashed.

The group of diplomats had joined Palestinians harvesting olives in the area. According to witnesses, settlers descended on the location to prevent Palestinians from gathering olives. Before targeting the diplomats, the settlers attacked Palestinians working on the lower slopes of hills near Taybeh, kicking and assaulting a woman in her seventies and beating a man so severely he needed six stitches for a head injury.

Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot condemned the attack 'in the strongest terms' and said his country would continue to push for European Union sanctions on settlers. He linked the violence to what he called Israel's 'illegal settlement policy' and stated that Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians as the 'occupying power'. 'Impunity for violent settlers must end,' he said.

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar also condemned the 'severe acts of violence' by Israeli 'rioters' in the area. However, he criticised the diplomats for not coordinating their visit with the Israeli military, saying the military had no soldiers present at the scene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office characterised reports of the attack as part of a 'coordinated campaign to smear Israel and the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria'.

Israeli police said they have opened an investigation into the alleged assault of diplomats in the occupied West Bank. The attack occurred during the olive harvest season, when The Guardian reports that at least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Activists say Israeli authorities do little to stop attacks during this period.

How it is being reported

• European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West BankThe Israeli military condemns the violence but the prime minister's office says it is part of a "smear" campaign.BBC News · 17 Oct, 19:38
• Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in West BankFrench mayor and archbishop also attacked during violent attempt to stop Palestinians harvesting olives Israeli settler militants have attacked European diplomats, a French mayor and the archbishop of Cambrai in Taybeh, in the occupied West Bank, injuring three people and damaging a car, in the latest violent attempt to prevent Palestinians from harvesting olives on their own land. Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, was wearing his red, white and blue sash of office and attempting to enter a vehicle with diplomatic plates when he was assaulted and knocked to the ground on Saturday.…The Guardian · 17 Oct, 19:20
• Israeli settlers attack European diplomats and French mayor in West Bank, Belgium saysIsraeli settlers have allegedly attacked Palestinian civilians, European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank, sparking international condemnation.Sky News · 17 Oct, 18:38
• Masked settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West BankBelgian foreign minister urges further EU sanctions and links attack to Israel’s ‘illegal settlement policy’ Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats during a visit to the occupied West Bank on Saturday, Belgium’s foreign minister said, on a second day of high-profile assaults on Palestinians and others during the sensitive olive harvest. At least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Activists say Israeli authorities do little to stop attacks that involve weapons ranging…The Guardian · 17 Oct, 18:02
• West Bank: Israeli settlers attack EU diplomatsA group of Israeli settlers attacked vehicles carrying European diplomats in the West Bank. Belgium has condemned the attack.DW News · 17 Oct, 17:29
• West Bank: Israeli settlers attack EU diplomats, French mayorA group of Israeli settlers attacked vehicles carrying European diplomats in the West Bank. Belgium has condemned the attack.DW News · 17 Oct, 17:29
• Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in the West BankBelgian foreign minister says his government will ‘press for EU sanctions against those responsible for this violence’Financial Times · 17 Oct, 17:11

In this story: Israel · West Bank · Belgium · France · Poland · Maxime Prevot · Bernard Baudoux · Benjamin Netanyahu

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem