Israeli settlers attacked a group of European diplomats near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The incident involved Belgium’s consul general, diplomats from France and Poland, and representatives from the Catholic Church, according to Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot.
During the visit to support Palestinian olive harvesters, the group faced aggression from settlers, which coincided with reports of similar incidents in the region. Prevot stated that a French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle was damaged, attributing the violence to Israel’s “illegal settlement policy,” and he vowed to advocate for increased European Union sanctions.
Bernard Baudoux, the French mayor who was attacked, remarked that the incident indicated a tolerance of settler violence by the Israeli government. Activist Amit Orfali recorded video footage of the confrontation, showing Baudoux on the ground as masked individuals approached, reportedly threatening the group. Orfali described the situation as one where the masked assailants “threatened to kill us.”
In response, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged Israel to take action against the “extremist settlers” responsible for the violence, insisting that they be prosecuted in accordance with international law. He emphasized the need for immediate measures to end this “criminal violence” and ensure civilian safety.
Witnesses reported that settlers surrounded the diplomats’ vehicles, throwing stones and smashing windows. This attack has prompted an investigation by Israeli police and condemnation from Belgium. Despite acknowledging the existence of public footage showing the attack, an official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office questioned the reports, labeling them as “alleged” pending further evidence.
Settler Violence Escalates
Earlier on Saturday, several Palestinians were injured in separate assaults by Israeli settlers across the region. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that six individuals, including four women and a child, were injured during a settler attack in Ma’in village, located in the Masafer Yatta area south of Hebron.
Reports from the Palestinian news agency Wafa indicated that Israeli forces opened fire on farmers in the nearby town of Deir Ammar to drive them away from their olive groves. Additionally, in Kafr Malek, northeast of Ramallah, settlers killed about 20 sheep on a local farm.
In various parts of the West Bank, settlers have systematically targeted olive trees and landowners, with documented attacks exceeding 300 since the beginning of October. According to Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, settlers have become increasingly bold, openly promoting their aggressive actions on social media.
The continued violence during the olive harvest season has drawn international concern, with calls for urgent action to protect Palestinian farmers amid escalated settler activities, described by observers as part of a broader campaign against the Palestinian agricultural community.
