Jewish Rioters Attack French, Belgian Diplomats in West Bank

A severe diplomatic incident occurred during the past Shabbat in the Palestinian village of Taybeh in Area B of the West Bank, when a group of masked Jewish rioters violently attacked representatives and diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland, alongside Israeli activists. The group was present for a olive harvest event. The IDF assessed the incident as extremely serious, sparking outrage in Europe and prompting an immediate investigation. Video footage shows approximately seven masked rioters approaching the diplomats' vehicle menacingly, armed with sticks and stones, and pursuing them with an ATV. In one clip, Brandt Bodou, the mayor of Ollainville-Amréville in France, is seen sitting on the ground, leaning on the vehicle with his national flag displayed to identify himself. The diplomatic delegation claims the French mayor was violently pushed. Damage was also documented to a vehicle belonging to the Belgian Consulate. The rioters also reportedly attacked Palestinian harvesters from the village, described as the last Christian village in the West Bank. Israeli activist Amit Orpali claimed a severe security failure, stating that the army was updated in real-time but did not respond, and that the rioters threatened to kill them. The incident occurs amid new policies by incoming Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, who decided to cancel administrative arrest warrants against Jews in the West Bank. The attack drew a sharp condemnation from Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, who denounced the assault on Palestinians, the Belgian Consul General, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives. Prévot added that while his team is safe, Palestinians face such violence daily, and that olive harvesting, reporting news, or performing diplomatic duties should never endanger anyone. The mayor of Taybeh also condemned the settlers' attack during a civilian visit for the olive harvest. The security establishment is investigating the incident. The IDF stated it "strongly condemns the severe act of violence" and that police and forensic investigators, secured by the IDF, entered the area to collect evidence. However, the IDF refuted claims of non-response, explaining that the consulate's patrol was not coordinated with the army, which is crucial for preventing such events, and that initial findings indicate no forces were present at the time of the attack. Regarding the report of no response, the IDF clarified that the report was sent to a brigade command center meant for security personnel, not civilians, and that other hotlines exist for civilian complaints. The Israel Police stated that the Binyamin station in the Judea and Samaria district has opened an immediate investigation and is working to identify and prosecute all those involved.