Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, prompting condemnation from multiple countries and the Israeli military.
Belgium condemned the assault on its consul general and other envoys, calling for Israel to hold those responsible accountable. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also condemned the violence and said they were investigating the incident. The prime minister's office, however, suggested the attack was part of a "smear" campaign aimed at Israel. The European diplomats, representing Belgium, France, Poland, and the Catholic Church, were in the largely Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah to assess the impact of frequent settler attacks on Palestinian olive harvests. They were targeted by masked Israeli settlers during their visit, with reports indicating that stones were thrown at the convoy. A car from the Belgian consulate had its window smashed, and a French mayor was assaulted. Video footage showed a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle.
The attack occurred a day after a separate assault by settlers injured Palestinians and a Washington Post photographer in another West Bank village. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack on the photographer "disturbing" and "not a good look." The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the act as a "despicable act of terror" and called for the assailants to face "prosecution to the fullest extent of the law." Belgium's foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, emphasized that Palestinians face this violence daily and that diplomats and journalists should not be targeted for carrying out their duties.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the ongoing tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian communities, with diplomats and journalists increasingly targeted.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The Israeli government's response to the incident and whether those responsible will be brought to justice.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.