Settlers attack EU diplomats in the West Bank near Ramallah
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On Saturday, near the Palestinian village of Taybeh, not far from Ramallah in the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a delegation of European diplomats. Among the injured was Bernard Beaudou, mayor of the French city of Aulnay-sous-Bois, Israeli media report. The delegation included representatives of Poland, Belgium and France.
What happened
According to the outlet, masked settlers surrounded a car carrying diplomats and foreign guests and demanded their documents. Activist Amit Orfali, who accompanied the delegation, said he came to the scene with another activist after Palestinians reported that settlers were stealing sacks of olives. “Seven masked settlers with clubs surrounded us. They encircled our cars, beat them, threatened to kill us and demanded that we show our documents,” he said.
French, Belgian and Polish diplomats were already at the scene, and the activists joined them. “Thanks to them, we got away. We saw one of the diplomats end up on the ground after being shoved, and the window of the Belgian car was smashed,” Orfali added. The delegation wanted to take part in an olive harvest that has been targeted by settlers.
Israel's reaction
Israeli police, the Foreign Ministry and the army are handling the incident. “The Israel Defense Forces strongly condemn the serious incident of violence in the Taybeh area, where Israeli hooligans attacked diplomats,” the army said, adding that it had not been aware of the visit. “Such coordination is important so that incidents like this do not happen.”
On the same day, attacks by settlers on Palestinian olive pickers and activists were reported from various places across the West Bank. This week settlers also attacked American photographer Heidi Levine, who was documenting violence against Palestinians for a US newspaper. About three million Palestinians and more than half a million Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Under international law, settlements in the territory are illegal.
Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz
