Israeli Settlers Attack European Diplomats in West Bank Village
Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats visiting the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, to observe the olive harvest, smashing a vehicle window. The diplomats were reported to be from France, Belgium and Poland. “Impunity for violent settlers must end,” said Maxime Prevot, Belgium’s foreign minister. Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, condemned “the severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters”.
The IDF said no soldiers were present and the visit had not been coordinated with the military; police have opened an investigation. The attack came a day after settlers beat Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photographer, who needed surgery for a broken rib and fractured vertebrae. Netanyahu’s office called the circumstances “unclear”, prompting a rebuke from the Post’s executive editor. The Israeli monitor Yesh Din has recorded at least 234 harvest-related attacks since 27 September, with soldiers present in more than a quarter. The European Council has urged Israel to reverse settlement expansion; watch whether Paris and Warsaw escalate diplomatically.