Israeli settlers attack European diplomatic cars in West Bank

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats and a visiting French mayor on Saturday, escalating recent violence during the Palestinian olive harvest, according to witnesses and diplomats. The diplomats were en route to visit Taybeh, a largely Christian village in the occupied West Bank, when the masked settlers made aggressive statements, kicked the French mayor Bernard Baudoux, and drove off, as reported by AFP.

Baudoux, 78, was seen slumped on the ground against a car in video footage, and two individuals who spoke with him confirmed he was hurt but not hospitalized. The West Bank has experienced a particularly violent olive harvest season, with Israeli settlers attempting to prevent Palestinians from gathering their crops. On Friday, an American photographer for The Washington Post was severely injured while covering the harvest, and last week, an AFP photographer was also beaten up.

This violence coincides with the final days of an election campaign in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has courted settlers, seeking their support in the upcoming poll. Israel swiftly condemned the attack on the diplomatic convoy, while Netanyahu suggested that Palestinians or far-left activists may share blame for the assault on the Washington Post photographer.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly condemned the violent acts by Israeli rioters, but also criticized the consulates for not coordinating the diplomats' trip with the military. Israeli police have launched an investigation to locate the victims, collect testimonies, and identify the suspects, with the goal of bringing them to justice.