European Outrage After Settlers Attack Diplomats in West Bank

Translated & summarized from Panet by baba

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Arabic · 19 newsrooms covering

Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank on Saturday, following a similar incident where an American photojournalist was assaulted. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the attacks, demanding accountability and an end to settler impunity. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the perpetrators "rioters" and suggested the diplomats should have coordinated with the army. The Israeli police have opened an investigation, with no arrests made so far.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank on Saturday.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the violence and called for an end to settler impunity.
A day earlier, masked settlers attacked Palestinians and assaulted American photojournalist Heidi Levine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the attackers "rioters" and suggested better coordination with the army.
Belgium will push for EU sanctions against those responsible for the settler violence.
The Israeli police have launched an investigation into the incidents.

European Outrage After Settlers Attack Diplomats in West Bank — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot reported that Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians, European diplomats, and a French mayor in the West Bank on Saturday. The incident occurred a day after settlers assaulted an American photojournalist. Prévot stated that the Belgian Consul General to the Palestinians, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives were among those attacked, and a Belgian vehicle was damaged. He emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring perpetrators to justice, calling for an end to impunity for settlers involved in violence.

Bernard Bodo, the mayor of Oulchy-le-Château in northern France, told Reuters he was picking olives near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in solidarity with residents when he was "violently attacked" by masked settlers, adding, "They threw me to the ground."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the attack, labeling the perpetrators as Israeli "rioters." He suggested that the diplomats should have coordinated their visit with the Israeli military to ensure their safety. Palestinian Deputy President Hussein al-Sheikh denounced the attack as a minor example of the "daily terrorism" Palestinians face.

Separately, dozens of masked settlers attacked Palestinians on Friday during olive harvesting in the West Bank. American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was covering the harvest for The Washington Post, was hospitalized after being assaulted by masked settlers.

Prévot reiterated that Palestinians face such violence daily, and settlers also target journalists and diplomats, stating that olive picking, reporting, or diplomatic duties should never lead to an attack. Belgium, which has banned imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights, will push for EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence and their supporters.

The Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on X that a convoy carrying Polish diplomats was attacked, though the Polish diplomats were unharmed. He called attacks on diplomatic staff "completely unacceptable." The Israeli police announced an investigation into the incident, but no arrests have been reported yet.