The European Union condemned recent assaults by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, highlighting incidents that targeted European diplomats. In a statement released on Sunday, the EU’s diplomatic service called for accountability and concrete measures to prevent further violence.
“The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats,” the statement read. It emphasized the necessity for “full accountability as well as effective measures to prevent continued acts of violence and violent harassment against Palestinians, including during the ongoing olive harvest season, as well as against journalists.”
The condemnations followed an incident near the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah. A delegation visiting the area during the olive harvest included consuls from France and Belgium, a representative from Poland, and officials from the Catholic Church. The group was confronted by masked Israeli settlers, during which a Belgian consular vehicle was damaged, with its window smashed.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Israeli army radio reported that troops and police arrived at the scene three hours after they received the delegation’s location and footage of the confrontation, which was sent shortly after the incident occurred.
Adding to the calls for action, opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman from the Yisrael Beiteinu party criticized the Israeli government, claiming that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his defense and national security ministers were failing to curb the violence perpetrated by settlers. Lieberman warned that their inaction could diminish international support for Israel.
Reports indicate that attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property have escalated during the olive harvest season, which began earlier this month. The EU reiterated its position, urging Israel to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law while calling for an end to the expansion of illegal settlements.
