West Bank settlers attack Palestinians, Western diplomats, Belgium says

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated on Saturday that masked settlers in the occupied West Bank attacked Palestinians, Catholic representatives, and Western diplomats and officials. The incident occurred in the predominantly Christian village of Taybeh, where witnesses say settlers arrived to prevent Palestinians from gathering olives. According to reports, the delegation included the Belgian consul general, as well as French and Polish diplomats, and a French mayor.

The attack involved masked men surrounding a diplomatic vehicle with off-road vehicles, demanding identification, and smashing a window. A Belgian vehicle was also damaged. Middle East Eye reports that the 78-year-old leftist mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, Bernard Baudoux, was kicked by the settlers. While he was reportedly hurt, two people who spoke to him indicated he did not require hospital treatment.

Israeli police have opened an investigation into the alleged assault. The Israeli military stated the visit was not coordinated with them and that no soldiers were present. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the violence, describing the settlers as "rioters," but also faulted the diplomats for failing to coordinate their visit with the military.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, DW English (Top Stories), DW News, PBS NewsHour, Middle East Eye — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.