Jewish Extremists Attack European Diplomats in West Bank
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Jewish extremists allegedly attacked European diplomats, including a French mayor, in the West Bank, prompting a call for caution from Prime Minister Netanyahu's office. President Isaac Herzog condemned violence against a Washington Post photographer reportedly attacked in the same region. The Israeli military announced the elimination of a Hamas commander involved in the October 7th massacre. Investigations are ongoing into the incidents.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Jewish extremists allegedly attacked European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's office urged caution and called for evidence before accusations.
- President Herzog condemned violence against a Washington Post photographer in the region.
- The Israeli military announced the elimination of a Hamas commander involved in the Oct. 7 massacre.
- Investigations are underway into the reported attacks and clashes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office urged caution regarding an alleged attack on European diplomats in the West Bank, stating that "any violence against diplomats is unacceptable." The office noted that the delegation, which included French mayor Bernard Baudoux, entered a sensitive area without coordinating with the army. Images of the incident do not clearly establish the sequence of events or responsibility. Netanyahu suggested the incident might be part of a campaign to tarnish Israel's image during the olive harvest and called for verifiable evidence before accusations are made. A police investigation is underway.
Separately, President Isaac Herzog spoke with American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was reportedly attacked by rioters in the Binyamin region on Friday. Herzog condemned the "scandalous and shocking" violence, expressing deep sadness and apologizing to Levine. He stated that the attackers' behavior does not represent Israel and stressed the importance of acting against all forms of violence. The incident involving Levine, a 63-year-old photographer for The Washington Post, occurred amid reports of Jewish extremists attacking French, Belgian, and Polish diplomats near the Palestinian village of Taybeh. Videos show masked individuals with sticks and stones approaching and pursuing the diplomats' vehicle, which had its Belgian consulate window broken. Belgium has called for European sanctions, and the Israeli military deemed the incident "serious" while noting the lack of coordination.
Opposition leader Yaïr Golan called for combating "Jewish terrorism like Palestinian terrorism." Meanwhile, two Israelis and several Palestinians were lightly injured in a clash near the Shirat Tzion farm. Palestinian sources reported that extremists attacked Palestinians and stole livestock, with vandalism also reported in several locations. The Israeli military announced the elimination of Maher Walid Omar al-Hasini, a Hamas commander involved in the October 7th massacre, in an airstrike in southern Gaza. The military stated he was preparing terrorist operations and rebuilding Hamas's military capabilities.
Mentioned
