Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, European diplomats in West Bank, Belgium says

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians, European diplomats, and a French mayor in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to Belgium’s foreign minister. The attack occurred a day after settlers allegedly beat an American photojournalist. Belgian diplomats, French and Polish diplomats, Catholic representatives, and a Belgian vehicle were among those targeted.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned the violence, calling on Israeli authorities to protect diplomats, journalists, and Palestinians, and bring those responsible to justice. Meanwhile, Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, France, reported being violently attacked by masked settlers while harvesting olives near the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the attack, suggesting that the diplomats should have coordinated their visit with the Israeli military. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh denounced the attack, describing it as a small example of the "daily terrorism" faced by Palestinians. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have previously condemned settler violence, attributing it to a small minority.

Israeli police have opened an investigation into the incident, but prosecutions of settlers accused of violent crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank are rare.

Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.