Masked settlers launched an assault on a group of European diplomats during their visit to the occupied West Bank on Saturday, as conveyed by Belgium’s foreign minister and later confirmed by the Polish foreign ministry. This incident occurred on the second consecutive day of attacks on Palestinians and others amidst the sensitive olive harvest season. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least four people have lost their lives, and more than 100 have sustained injuries since the commencement of the harvest earlier this month. Activists have noted that Israeli authorities often fail to take adequate measures to prevent such attacks, which have involved a range of weapons from slingshots to firearms.
On Saturday, in the Christian village of Taybeh, the targeted group of European diplomats included Belgium’s consul general, as well as diplomats from France and Poland, alongside Catholic representatives. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot reported that a French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle was damaged, though he confirmed that the team remained safe. He attributed the incident to what he described as Israel’s “illegal settlement policy“ and expressed a commitment to advocate for further European Union sanctions.
“Impunity for violent settlers must end,” he stated.
“We confirm that an attack took place on the West Bank of the Jordan on a convoy in which representatives of the diplomatic corps were travelling, including Polish diplomats. According to preliminary information, Israeli settlers may be responsible for the attack. The Polish diplomats were unharmed. Based on the information we have, they do not appear to have been the direct target of the attack,” said Maciej Wewiór, spokesman for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We express our deep outrage and strongly condemn this incident. Poland consistently opposes violence by Israeli settlers on the occupied West Bank of the Jordan. Attacks on representatives of the diplomatic corps are absolutely unacceptable,” the spokesman added.
A video shared by activist Amit Orfali at the scene shows the French mayor, wearing a tricolour sash, seated on the dusty ground and leaning against a vehicle. Additional footage shows young masked individuals persistently knocking on a driver’s side window and requesting identification, while others carrying sticks advance in the background. Orfali remarked that the masked individuals threatened their safety.
Netanyahu’s office cautions against “premature conclusions”
These events occurred less than two weeks before closely contested elections that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s administration. His government, characterised as the most nationalist and far-right in Israel’s history, faces significant domestic criticism regarding security lapses, as well as international condemnation concerning the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Notably, several senior government officials are settlers themselves.
The Israeli military issued a statement confirming the attack on the diplomats, labelling it a “severe act of violence.“ However, it clarified that the visit was not coordinated with it, and no military personnel were present at the location. The Israeli police announced that it has launched an investigation and assured that it will continue until all individuals involved in these incidents are held accountable.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed condemnation of the “severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters“ via social media, indicating that his ministry is in communication with the ambassadors from the affected countries. In contrast, Netanyahu’s office later released a statement cautioning against “premature conclusions“ regarding the incident, emphasising concerns about “a coordinated campaign to tarnish Israel’s image.”
The opposition condemns Jewish terror
Netanyahu’s main rival in the elections, Gadi Eisenkot, Former Minister in the War Cabinet and Member of Knesset, said on X that “a handful of criminals is burning up the last shreds of legitimacy left to the state of Israel.“
“What is happening in the West Bank is Jewish terror under the auspices of the Israeli government,” Eisenkot wrote.
“Once again, within a single day, squads of violent lawbreakers attack foreign citizens—and this time, diplomats and official officeholders. Before our very eyes, an unprecedented diplomatic and security attack is unfolding. A handful of criminals is burning up the last shreds of legitimacy left to the State of Israel, endangering security forces, and harming the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria and national security. No one in the leadership will be able to claim that they weren’t woken up in time and that they weren’t warned,“ emphasised Eisenkot.
Yair Golan, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. (Res.) and Chairman of the liberal party Democrats stated that “The report of an attack on foreign diplomats by Jewish rioters in Judea and Samaria is a grave and dangerous incident that demands an immediate and decisive response.“
“The Netanyahu-Smotrich coalition is drowning us all in a sea of terror. I have been warning for a long time about the growing Jewish terror in Judea and Samaria, the assault on the rule of law, and the danger to Israel’s security, to IDF soldiers, and to our international standing.”
“Jewish terror must be fought with an iron fist, just as Palestinian terror is fought. Administrative detentions must be reinstated against dangerous Jewish terror activists, in accordance with the law; terror hubs must be dismantled, illegal outposts evacuated, rioters arrested and brought to trial,” highlighted Yair Golan.
The photographer for The Washington Post, Heidi Levine, also used the term “Jewish terror“ when speaking to The Associated Press on Saturday from her hospital bed.
“I’ve been covering this region for over 40 years, and I have never seen this country in such a state as it is today,“ Levine said, adding that she was “shocked and insulted“ that Netanyahu referred to the attack on her and others as an alleged one.
Netanyahu has previously blamed violence on a small number of troublemakers. Still, incidents like burned cars, damaged trees, and injuries have occurred across Palestinian territories, leading some to call this one of the most dangerous seasons yet.
The UN and much of the international community view the West Bank settlements as illegally occupied. Settlers have created numerous outposts without government approval, continuing to receive protection from the Israeli military.
After Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, Palestinians have sought these territories for a future state. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi criticised Israel, urging President Isaac Herzog to “stop and revoke the act of forcibly establishing settlements in the West Bank.”
This article used information from The Associated Press.
