West Bank: Israeli settlers attack EU diplomats
A group of Israeli settlers attacked vehicles carrying European diplomats in the West Bank. Belgium has condemned the attack.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot denounced Israeli settlers who attacked diplomats and Palestinians in the West Bank. The assailants included Catholic representatives and Western officials. Belgian, French, and Polish diplomats were among those targeted. In a social media post, Prevot condemned the incident in the "strongest terms" after a Belgian vehicle was damaged.
Israeli authorities claimed they were not informed about the visit and had no soldiers present. Eyewitnesses reported that settlers surrounded a diplomatic vehicle, demanded identification, and smashed a window. Mayor Bernard Baudoux of France suffered injuries but did not require hospitalization. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also condemned the violence, faulting the diplomats for not coordinating with the Israeli military.
This incident occurred amidst an unusually violent olive harvest season in the West Bank. Meanwhile, Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was assaulted by Israeli settlers while reporting in the region. The violence coincides with the final days of Israel's election campaign, during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rallied support for the settlers.
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