Settlers Attack European Diplomats, Palestinian Olive Harvesters in West Bank

Settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters and international activists in several locations across the West Bank on Saturday, according to Palestinian reports and documentation. Among those targeted was a European delegation of diplomats and public figures from Poland, Belgium, and France, who were visiting lands near the Christian village of Taybeh in the Ramallah district. The IDF stated it "strongly condemns the severe violence incident in which diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters," adding that the consulate's tour was not coordinated with them.

A diplomat present at the scene told "Haaretz" that settlers struck a Belgian delegation vehicle with an object, possibly an iron bar, while people were inside. He questioned the disproportionate attention given to diplomats compared to Palestinians who suffer daily. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, in English on X, stated "Serious allegations require serious evidence," and expressed concern over a "coordinated campaign to defame Israel" based on sensational headlines before full facts emerge. The office also raised doubts about the incident, noting the delegation entered a "sensitive area with a history of conflict without prior coordination" and that the visit included Bernard Bodo, the "mayor of the French Communist Party who previously waved the Palestinian flag over his city hall."

The diplomat countered Netanyahu's claim of lack of coordination, calling it a diversion from the main issue. He emphasized that security coordination should not be necessary for people to feel safe in the West Bank. Footage showed masked individuals with clubs approaching the delegation's vehicle, and later, the Belgian diplomatic car's window was reportedly smashed. Bodo, identified as the mayor of Oulna-Amry in northern France, recounted being knocked down, kicked, and hit with iron bars by Israeli settlers who shouted insults. He believes the Israeli government tolerates such attacks and expressed shock at the unprovoked violence, noting that a priest accompanying him helped him up before they quickly departed.

Other incidents reported include a man injured by live fire in the village of Aqrabah, allegedly by settlers targeting olive harvesters. In Mu'een, south of Hebron, six Palestinians were injured by pepper spray and blows, with one youth shot in the thigh and another injured by blows, while four women were affected by pepper spray. Settlers also reportedly stole sheep from Palestinian residents in Mu'een, with soldiers present claiming it was to recover lost livestock. The IDF stated soldiers arrived due to "friction that developed over reports of stolen Israeli-owned livestock" and that an investigation was initiated.

Further reports detail soldiers harassing olive harvesters near Beit Furik, pouring out their collected yield and detaining them. In Dir Jarir, north of Ramallah, masked individuals threw stones at harvesters, leading to a reciprocal stone-throwing incident. The IDF stated its forces dispersed friction after stones were thrown at them and that a suspect arrest procedure, including firing into the air, was performed. Other incidents include settlers stealing crops in Burqa and Umm Safa, vandalizing olive trees in Wadi al-Sha'er, and killing 20 sheep in Maliq. Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine underwent surgery after being attacked by settlers near Abu Falah, suffering a broken rib and deep cuts. President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence, apologizing to Levine, while U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee demanded a full investigation and prosecution of those involved, calling the attack on the journalist an act of terrorism.

Human rights organization "Yesh Din" reported 487 incidents of settler and soldier violence since September 27, with 234 directly related to the olive harvest. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated that Israel, as the occupying power, must protect Palestinians and ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, calling for an end to impunity for violent settlers and linking the violence to Israel's illegal settlement policy.