Israeli settlers attack European diplomats, beat French mayor
The West Bank violence has shocked much of the world, with Britain spearheading economic sanctions that in turn led Israel to close the British consulate in Jerusalem.
On October 17, Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the West Bank, beating up a visiting French mayor, Bernard Baudoux, witnesses reported. The 78-year-old mayor, who was in the company of Palestinian olive farmers, was allegedly subjected to defamatory comments, kicking, and blows with iron bars by masked settlers.
Baudoux claimed the settlers were shouting anti-French remarks and assaulted him. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for an urgent halt to criminal violence and demanded the arrest of those responsible. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed the incident, suggesting a smear campaign against settlers and alleging that diplomats should have coordinated with the Israeli military.
Baudoux, who was not hospitalized, emphasized that the real victims were those present at the time of the attack.
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- Israeli settlers attack European diplomats, beat French mayor freemalaysiatoday.com
- Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in West Bank abc.net.au
- Israeli settlers attack European diplomats, beat French mayor al-monitor.com
- Huckabee condemns 'despicable' attack on photojournalist Heidi Levine in West Bank, demands arrests jpost.com
