In brief
Last week, a convoy of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the Christian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah. Belgium’s foreign minister condemned the assault and demanded those responsible be brought to justice, while France and Poland also denounced the violence. Israel’s Defense Forces reported the act as severe and said an investigation was underway, even as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office suggested the incident might be part of a smear campaign. The attack followed a day earlier when settlers wounded a Washington Post photographer and additional Palestinians during the olive‑harvest season. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinian farmers amid a backdrop of daily clashes in the West Bank.
A convoy of European diplomats was attacked last week by masked Israeli settlers in the Christian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah.
Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prevot slammed the incident and called for those responsible to be brought to justice, while France and Poland also condemned the violence.
Israel’s Defense Forces said the attack was “severe” and that they were investigating, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office downplayed the incident, suggesting it might be part of a smear campaign.
The attack came just a day after settlers injured a Washington Post photographer and other Palestinians in a separate clash during the olive‑harvest season.
European and Catholic officials were on the ground to assess daily settler attacks on Palestinian farmers. Video footage shows rocks being thrown at the convoy, and a Belgian consulate car had its window smashed.
Belgian diplomats emphasize the need for Israel to protect both Palestinians and international staff, warning that “immunity for violent settlers must end.”
Israel’s foreign ministry said they would stay in contact with the ambassadors, and the IDF noted no soldiers were on site at the time of the assault.
