Masked settlers attack European diplomats and Palestinians in West Bank

Masked Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats, Palestinians and Catholic representatives in Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, 17 October, prompting an Israeli police investigation and condemnation from Belgian and Israeli ministers.¹²³⁵

Diplomats and mayor targeted

Belgium’s consul general and diplomats from France and Poland were among those targeted, according to the Guardian and Deutsche Welle. The Guardian also reported that the archbishop of Cambrai and French mayor Bernard Baudoux were attacked, and that three people were injured.¹²

Witnesses cited by Deutsche Welle said settlers had come to Taybeh to stop Palestinians gathering olives. The outlet reported that masked men surrounded a vehicle bearing diplomatic plates, demanded identification and broke a window. The New York Times also reported assaults on residents and damage to a diplomatic vehicle.²⁴

Baudoux said his injuries were minor, according to Deutsche Welle. He described being kicked, struck with iron bars and thrown to the ground. A witness and two diplomats also told AFP that settlers had beaten him, the outlet reported.²

Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot confirmed damage to a Belgian vehicle and said his team was safe. He denounced the attack, linked it to Israeli settlement policy and pledged to seek further sanctions from the European Union.¹³

Investigation and official responses

The Israeli military called the attack a “severe act of violence”. The visit had not been coordinated with the military, and no soldiers were present at the scene. Israeli police opened an investigation and said they would work to bring those involved to justice.¹²

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar condemned violence by Israeli rioters in Taybeh. According to Deutsche Welle, he also criticised the diplomats for not coordinating their visit with the military. According to the Guardian, his ministry had communicated with the ambassadors representing the countries involved.¹²

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded by alleging that the reports formed part of a campaign to discredit Israel and Jewish residents of the West Bank during the olive harvest. It argued that accounts were appearing before the circumstances had been fully established, according to Deutsche Welle.²

Violence during the harvest

The New York Times reported an increase in settler violence during the olive harvest. According to the Guardian, the period since the start of the harvest had seen at least four deaths and injuries to over 100 people.¹⁴

Activists cited by the Guardian accused Israeli authorities of doing little to halt attacks involving weapons ranging from slingshots to guns. The newspaper further said a Washington Post photographer and several other people suffered serious injuries in a Friday attack.¹