US, France Condemn Settler Violence in West Bank

The United States and France have escalated their criticism of ongoing settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge in violence against Palestinians, journalists, and foreign solidarity activists. The incidents, which have included an assault on a European diplomatic delegation, coincide with the olive harvest season. Washington has urged Israel to take decisive action to deter settler violence, while Paris has called for the perpetrators of the attack on the European delegation to be apprehended and prosecuted.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, stating that Washington has repeatedly asked Israel to implement strict measures to halt these attacks. His remarks followed an assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine of The Washington Post, who was beaten by settlers while covering attacks on Palestinian farmers. Rubio confirmed that the attack on Levine was not isolated, noting that the State Department is monitoring the situation and awaiting a response from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. He added that President Trump does not wish to see the current situation persist and clarified that a previous decision to lift sanctions on some settlers does not constitute endorsement of the ongoing violence.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the attack on a European diplomatic delegation as "horrific" and called on Israeli authorities to arrest and prosecute the settlers responsible. The delegation, including representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, was attacked near the town of Al-Taybeh, east of Ramallah, by settlers, some of them masked, who threatened their vehicles and damaged one. The Belgian Foreign Minister confirmed the assault on the European diplomats and the French mayor, Bernard Bodo, who was part of the delegation. Barrot emphasized the urgent need to end what he termed criminal violence and ensure civilian safety in accordance with international law.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the actions of "Israeli rioters" but criticized the European consulates for not coordinating the visit with the Israeli military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement denouncing what it called a "smear campaign" against Israel and its settlers, asserting that serious accusations require strong evidence. This came despite the Israeli military condemning the attack on the European diplomats and announcing an investigation. A European diplomat involved in the delegation countered Netanyahu's skepticism, affirming the facts of the attack and Israel's responsibility for security in Area B. The diplomat questioned the rationale behind attacking civilians and diplomats and the inability to harvest olives without facing attacks.

Within Israel, Gadi Eisenkot, head of the "Yishai" Party, accused the Netanyahu government of fostering "Jewish terrorism" in the West Bank, warning that settler attacks on foreigners represent an unprecedented political and security escalation that harms Israel's international standing and national security. The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the European delegation was inspecting olive harvesting near Al-Taybeh, described as the last Christian village in the West Bank, when settlers intercepted and attacked their vehicles.

These incidents occur amidst a broader rise in settler attacks on Palestinians and their property during the olive harvest season. The Israeli organization "Yesh Din" reported at least 170 settler attacks on Palestinians since late September, coinciding with the start of the annual olive harvest. Palestinian official data indicates that over 45,000 trees, including more than 26,000 olive trees, were damaged or cut down in the West Bank in the first half of 2026. Official Palestinian figures state that approximately 750,000 settlers reside in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, across 194 settlements and around 400 outposts.