EU condemns Israeli settler attack on diplomats in occupied West Bank

What the report says

The European Union has condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a delegation of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, urging accountability and stronger steps to prevent further violence. According to Al Jazeera’s report, the incident took place near the Palestinian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, after a group of diplomats and church representatives visited the area to express support for Palestinian olive farmers during the harvest.

The delegation included diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland, and the attack left vehicles damaged and at least one official injured, according to accounts cited in the report. The EU said it welcomed Israeli condemnations of the assault but expected full accountability and action to protect Palestinians, journalists and visiting delegations. French and Polish officials also called for arrests and an explanation from Israel.

Al Jazeera reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the violence and said police had opened an investigation, while also criticizing the visit for not being coordinated with the Israeli military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said violence against diplomats was unacceptable but questioned video evidence circulating online.

The diplomatic incident came amid a wider surge in settler attacks during the olive harvest, which Al Jazeera said has disrupted a key source of income for many Palestinian families. The report also noted a separate attack in nearby Abu Falah on a US photojournalist covering the harvest, underscoring growing concern over violence affecting farmers, journalists and foreign visitors in the West Bank.