Israel Military, Police Clash Over Response to Diplomat Attack

A senior police official has criticized the Israeli military's operational conduct in the West Bank, following an attack by masked Israelis on European diplomats participating in a Palestinian olive harvest. The official stated that the military's presence in the area is insufficient and warned of a potential loss of control if consistent security is not maintained in known friction points. The military responded by saying that the West Bank is already heavily deployed and that meeting expectations for presence at every single point would require at least ten additional battalions.

The incident occurred near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the Benjamin region, where masked individuals attacked diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland who were escorting Palestinian harvesters. According to reports, Israeli civilians present at the scene alerted the military's hotline before the attack, providing the location and a video, and urging a rapid response. However, the military claims this report was sent to a brigade command center intended only for security personnel, not civilians, and that civilian complaints should be directed to different hotlines.

The military stated that while the area was not secured by forces at the exact moment of the attack, the report was received. They emphasized that coordination with consular patrols is crucial to prevent such incidents and that the entire event will be investigated. The police have opened an investigation into the attack, but no arrests have been made, similar to a previous incident involving a Washington Post journalist.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the violence and noted that the Foreign Ministry is in contact with the relevant ambassadors. He expressed regret that the visit was not coordinated with the military beforehand, suggesting such coordination could have helped ensure the visitors' safety.

The Prime Minister's office issued a statement urging caution before drawing conclusions from the reports, emphasizing that all violence against diplomats is unacceptable and requires convincing evidence. The statement also suggested that the reports might be part of a coordinated effort to undermine Israel during the olive harvest, warning that premature conclusions could cause reputational damage before all facts are examined.