Jewish Rioters' Attack on European Diplomats Threatens Israel With Broad Sanctions

An attack by Jewish rioters on European diplomats near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the West Bank has sparked outrage among senior Israeli ambassadors worldwide. The ambassadors described the images broadcast internationally as a "strategic and public relations disaster," making it difficult to present Israel's positions on the global stage. They stated that such incidents not only damage Israel's image but also harm the settlement enterprise itself, which the rioters claim to support. European countries are already imposing sanctions on settlement products, with more EU nations planning similar measures. The ambassadors warned that this event will accelerate these actions and could lead to broader damage to Israel's entire economy. Senior Israeli officials likened the incident to the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, which caused immense damage to Israel, calling it a "strategic incident." A former senior Israeli official criticized the government, stating, "This government allows these people to run wild because it doesn't want to fight with them before the elections or lose their votes." He added that the government's silence demonstrates irresponsibility and negligence, contrasting it with how such rioters would be handled in a normal country. Another former senior Israeli diplomat noted that even junior candidates in US elections now attack Israel, which has become a popular tactic, and that Israel is playing into their hands. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar strongly condemned the violence, announcing a police investigation and the deployment of forensic investigators to the scene. The Foreign Ministry is cooperating with relevant ambassadors to aid law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting the attackers. Sa'ar also noted that the visit was not coordinated with the IDF, which could have helped ensure the visitors' safety. Opposition figures issued sharper condemnations, with Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, calling the events "Jewish terrorism under the auspices of the Israeli government." He argued that a small group of criminals is destroying Israel's remaining legitimacy, endangering security forces, and harming settlements and national security. The article also mentions that the IDF and police have failed to prevent several recent attacks on Palestinians harvesting olives, and that photojournalist Heidi Levine was attacked by Jewish rioters the previous day, resulting in surgery for her hand. President Isaac Herzog spoke with Levine, condemning the violence and apologizing for her experience, stating that the perpetrators' behavior does not represent Israel's values. He emphasized that Israel is a law-abiding democracy and must act decisively against violence, expecting thorough investigations and prosecution. The President expressed solidarity with Levine and wished her a speedy recovery. Levine's son reported that his mother is in pain and underwent surgery after a significant portion of one of her fingers was severed, impacting her ability to work. She had traveled from Ukraine, where she covered the war, to cover the Israeli elections.