European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank

A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Belgium condemned the assault on its consul and the other envoys, demanding that Israel bring those responsible to justice. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denounced what they described as "the terrible enactment of violence that took spot successful the country of Taybeh, during which diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters" and said they were investigating. According to a preliminary inquiry, "nary IDF soldiers were contiguous astatine the country astatine the clip of the attack," the IDF added. The bureau of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed uncertainty about the incident, suggesting it was part of a "coordinated run to smear Israel." The attack occurred only a day after a fig of Palestinians and Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photographer, were injured in a separate clash by settlers in another colony in the West Bank. The diplomats—representing Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church—had traveled to the mostly Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah to assess conditions on the ground following almost daily settler attacks on Palestinians attempting to bring in their olive harvest. Video footage showed masked settlers confronting the convoy, with reports indicating stones were thrown. Belgian authorities said a car from its consulate had a window smashed and a French politician was assaulted; video depicted a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle. Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot condemned the attack and declared that Israel has a duty to bring those responsible to justice. He stated, "Palestinians look this unit each day. Settlers besides people journalists reporting connected it and diplomats. Harvesting olives, reporting the quality oregon carrying retired diplomatic duties should ne'er enactment anyone astatine hazard of attack," he said. He added, "As the occupying power, Israeli authorities indispensable support Palestinians, guarantee the information of diplomats and journalists, and bring those liable to justice." He concluded, "Impunity for convulsive settlers indispensable end. Belgium volition proceed to property for EU sanctions against those liable for this unit and those who enactment them." Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, said he strongly condemned the violence by what he called "Israeli rioters" and noted that his ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the countries involved. However, he remarked, "Without detracting from the severity of the incident, it is unfortunate that the sojourn was not coordinated with the IDF successful advance. Such coordination could person helped safeguard the visitors' security." Read the full story at BBC News →