PMO questions claims of attack on European diplomats

Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the village of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to PBS NewsHour, RTE News, Middle East Eye, and Free Malaysia Today. The delegation included representatives from Belgium, France, and Poland. Witnesses and diplomats reported that the settlers verbally abused the group and kicked 78-year-old Bernard Baudoux, the leftist mayor of the French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries.

Video footage showed the mayor slumped against a car, and while he was reported to be hurt, observers stated he did not require hospital treatment.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated that the attack targeted the Belgian consul general and other diplomats, noting that a Belgian vehicle was damaged and a French mayor was assaulted. Prevot linked the incident to Israel's settlement policy and called for an end to settler impunity. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the "severe acts of violence" by "rioters" but faulted the diplomats for failing to coordinate their visit with the Israeli military.

Arutz Sheva - Israel National News reported that the Prime Minister's Office urged caution regarding reports of the attack, citing a lack of prior IDF coordination and insufficient evidence.

Brief written by urgent.news from Arutz Sheva - Israel National News, PBS NewsHour, RTE News, Middle East Eye, Free Malaysia Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.