A group of European diplomats, including representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, were reportedly assaulted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The incident occurred in the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, during the annual olive harvest.
The diplomats were reportedly joined by other international officials and Catholic representatives. During the attack, vehicles belonging to the diplomatic mission were damaged, including one with a smashed window. One French official, identified as the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, Bernard Baudoux, was physically assaulted and knocked to the ground. Witnesses reported that masked settlers, some armed with clubs, blocked roads and demanded identification from the diplomats.
The attack on diplomats followed a separate incident on Friday, in which a Washington Post photojournalist, Heidi Levine, was seriously injured after being attacked by settlers while covering the olive harvest near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah. Levine reported being beaten, kicked, and having her camera and passport stolen.
Several European nations, including Belgium, France, and Poland, have condemned the attacks. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated that the assaults were directly related to Israeli policies in the West Bank and called for an end to impunity for violent settlers. Poland’s Foreign Ministry expressed outrage and demanded accountability from Israeli authorities. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the attack as “outrageous” and urged the immediate arrest of those responsible.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the violence and stated that investigations were underway. However, the IDF also noted that the diplomats’ visit had not been coordinated with the military, and no soldiers were present at the time of the incident. Israeli police confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the events.
Palestinian authorities and rights groups have reported a surge in settler violence against Palestinians during the olive harvest season. Since September 27, Israeli rights group Yesh Din reported over 170 attacks by settlers, resulting in at least four deaths and over 100 injuries. Palestinian officials stated that thousands of trees have been damaged.
The escalating violence has drawn international attention and criticism. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over a potential “crisis” in the West Bank and urged Israel to increase efforts to deter settler attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement urging caution before drawing conclusions and noting concerns about a coordinated campaign to “smear Israel.” However, other Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the violence.
The incidents occurred amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest, a period often marked by an increase in settler violence against Palestinians. Critics accuse the Israeli government of condoning or encouraging such violence, leading to the displacement of Palestinian families and international condemnation of settlement expansion.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
