Israeli Settlers Attack European Diplomatic Delegation in Occupied West Bank

A group of European diplomats, including Belgium’s consul general and French and Polish representatives, were attacked by masked Israeli settlers on Saturday in the West Bank village of Taybeh. The delegation, which also included Catholic representatives, was visiting the area when the assault occurred. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed the incident, noting that a French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian diplomatic vehicle sustained damage, though all team members remained physically unharmed.

Minister Prevot condemned the violence, explicitly linking the incident to Israel’s settlement policies and calling for increased European Union sanctions. He emphasized that as the occupying power, Israel holds a legal obligation to protect civilians. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned the violence as a "severe act of violence," while the Israel Police confirmed that an investigation has been launched to bring the perpetrators to justice. The Israeli military noted that the visit had not been coordinated with their forces, explaining the absence of security at the scene.

The attack occurred during the annual olive harvest, a period historically marked by heightened tensions and violence against Palestinian farmers. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the current harvest season has already resulted in at least four deaths and over 100 injuries. This incident follows a broader wave of violence on Friday, during which settlers reportedly targeted at least eight villages across the northern West Bank, further destabilizing the region.

This escalation arrives at a critical juncture for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a highly contested election in less than two weeks. His administration is currently under intense scrutiny regarding both its security management and its policies toward Palestinians. With the United Nations having recorded 178 settler-related attacks during the 2025 harvest alone, the international community is increasingly pressuring the Israeli government to curb settler impunity and restore order in the occupied territories.