US 'Very Concerned' Over West Bank Violence, Urges Israeli Investigation
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed significant concern over recent attacks in the West Bank, including one on a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats, urging Israel to investigate. Israeli police have formed investigation teams for both incidents, though cooperation from diplomatic missions has been lacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the diplomats' presence in a sensitive area without coordination, while European officials from Belgium, France, and Poland condemned the violence and demanded accountability, with Belgium vowing to pursue EU sanctions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. is 'very concerned' about West Bank attacks and has asked Israel to investigate.
- Israeli police and the Shin Bet are investigating attacks on European diplomats and Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine.
- Diplomatic missions have not yet cooperated with Israeli investigators seeking testimony and evidence.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu questioned the diplomats' uncoordinated entry into a sensitive West Bank area.
- Belgium, France, and Poland condemned the violence and demanded perpetrators be brought to justice.
- Belgium plans to advance European Union sanctions against those responsible for the attacks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Sunday that the United States is "very concerned" about images emerging from attacks on European diplomats and a Washington Post photographer in the West Bank. "We have asked Israel to investigate the matter," Rubio said, adding that President Trump does not want to see friction or any crisis in the West Bank. "The whole thing was simply disturbing. It doesn't look good."
Simultaneously, Israeli police announced the formation of an investigation team into the attack on European diplomats in the village of al-Taybeh, near Ramallah. The Judean and Samarian District police had contacted the Foreign Ministry to reach out to the diplomatic missions for testimony, but had not yet received cooperation as of Sunday. Investigators requested detailed testimonies, photographic materials, and access to examine vehicles to identify suspects.
Additionally, police and the Shin Bet security agency are conducting investigative operations into the attack on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine to identify and prosecute the suspects. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed doubt on Saturday regarding the attack on the diplomats, stating in an English response that the diplomatic delegation entered a sensitive area prone to confrontations without prior coordination with the IDF, which the army officially confirmed. The Prime Minister's office emphasized that the published documentation does not solely establish the sequence of events or individual responsibility, and the circumstances are under police and forensic investigation.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the incident, asserting that as the occupying power, Israel must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice, ending impunity for violent settlers. He added that Brussels would advance EU sanctions against those responsible and their supporters. The Polish Foreign Ministry also demanded explanations from Israel, calling the attack unacceptable and urging that those responsible be brought to justice. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Israel to promptly apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, put an immediate end to the violence, and ensure the safety of the populations in the area as required by international law.
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