Israeli settlers' violent acts on the West Bank are becoming increasingly rampant. Following an American journalist who was beaten and injured, European officials have also become targets of attacks.
According to foreign media such as the Associated Press and Reuters, on October 17 local time, a group of masked settlers armed with metal sticks attacked European diplomats who were visiting the occupied West Bank. This is the second consecutive day of violent attacks against Palestinians and foreigners during the sensitive olive harvest season.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prouvault said that the attack on the Christian village of Taybeh occurred on the 17th, with settlers targeting the Belgian consul general, as well as French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives.
Bernard Baudoux, one of the victims and the mayor of Eunova-Aimery in northern France, described the incident on Facebook.
Three cars drove up. A few masked people with metal rods emerged from them, approaching us menacingly. Boudou wrote.
Video screenshots show masked settlers approaching the car.
Bo Du is 78 years old. He said that he then wore a three-colored scarf symbolizing the status of a French mayor. "But this didn't stop them. I was beaten with metal sticks and kicked on the feet, and I eventually fell to the ground. In the end, we managed to get back to our vehicles."
A video shared by event participant Amit Orfali shows that Bodhu is sitting on a dusty ground, leaning against a car.
Other video clips show several young masked men continuously tapping on the window beside the car driver's seat, demanding that the people inside show their identification documents. At the same time, other masked men with sticks are approaching from a distance.
Orfali said that these masked men "threatened to kill us".
Bodu said that he is currently healthy.
Bodu and others went to Tebe this time to formally establish a friendly relationship between the village and the town where it is located. They also participated in the local residents' olive harvesting activities. The religious leader of Tebe also confirmed the occurrence of the attack.
Video screenshots show that Bodu is sitting on the ground wearing a three-colored ribbon.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Nohain Baro stated on social platform X that a French mayor was " violently attacked by extremist settlers".
He added that Israeli authorities “must immediately stop this criminal violence and ensure the safety of civilians in accordance with their obligations under international law”.
Poland's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying: "We are deeply outraged by this."
Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Marcin Kowal stated on X that a convoy carrying diplomats was attacked, including Polish diplomats. Polish diplomats were not injured.
Targeted attacks on diplomatic delegations members are absolutely unacceptable.
Bodu's car window was smashed 《The Guardian》 screenshot
Prave said: “Palestinians face this kind of violence every day. Settlers also target journalists who report these violent incidents, as well as diplomats. Whether it’s picking olives, reporting news, or carrying out diplomatic duties, no one should be at risk of being attacked.”
He added that Belgium will continue to promote sanctions against those who commit violence and their supporters within the European Union.
Belgium has previously announced that it will ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights.
