In brief
A convoy of European diplomats, including representatives from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church, was assaulted by masked Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Taybeh. Belgian, French and other officials condemned the violence and called for investigations and justice. Israeli authorities denied coordination and questioned the charges, launching their own inquiries into the incident. The attack has intensified calls for greater protection of diplomats and the need for accountability in the region.
A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Belgium condemned the assault on its consul general and other envoys, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also condemned what they described as a severe act of violence and said an investigation was underway.
The Prime Minister’s office denounced the story as part of a coordinated smear campaign, urging caution before drawing conclusions.
The attack followed a separate incident in another West Bank village where Palestinians and a Washington Post photographer were injured by settlers.
The diplomats – from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church – had arrived at the largely Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah to assess on‑ground conditions after near‑daily settler attacks on Palestinian olive harvests.
Video footage from the scene shows masked settlers confronting the convoy and throwing stones. A vehicle from the Belgian consulate had its window smashed and a French mayor was assaulted; a man wearing a French tricolor sash was seen slumped beside a vehicle.
Belgium’s foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, condemned the attack, declaring that Israel had a responsibility to protect diplomats and journalists and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, also condemned the violence, describing the assailants as “Israeli rioters” and calling for coordination with the IDF to safeguard diplomatic visits.
The IDF reaffirmed its condemnation of the severe act of violence, noting that no IDF soldiers were present at the time of the attack.
The incident has heightened concerns over settler violence and diplomatic security in the West Bank.
