EU Condemns Israeli Settlers' Attack on Diplomatic Convoy in West Bank, Demands Accountability

On October 19, the European Union condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a convoy carrying European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, and called on Israel to take measures to stop violence targeting Palestinians and journalists. The statement came a day after masked attackers assaulted a delegation visiting the Palestinian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah.

According to published reports, the delegation included diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland along with representatives of the Catholic Church, visiting the majority-Christian village to show support for Palestinian olive growers. The masked group threatened members of the delegation and smashed the windows of a Belgian diplomatic vehicle.

Bernard Baudoux, 78, mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, said he was kicked and beaten despite wearing an official sash identifying him as a French official. Speaking to Reuters on October 18, Baudoux said: "I was thrown to the ground."

In its October 19 statement, the EU welcomed remarks by Israeli officials condemning the attack but stressed the need for "full accountability" and measures to prevent further violence against Palestinians and journalists. The bloc also called on Israel to respect international law and halt the expansion of settlements in the occupied territory.

On the French side, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on October 18 called on Israel to arrest those responsible and protect civilians. Belgium said its staff were safe although their vehicle was damaged. Poland's Foreign Ministry said its diplomats were unhurt and that there was no indication they were specifically targeted; Warsaw demanded an explanation from Israel and action against the attackers.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on October 18 condemned the violence, calling those responsible "rioters" and saying police had opened an investigation. He also criticized the delegation for not coordinating the visit with the Israeli military, arguing that advance arrangements could have helped protect the guests. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said violence against diplomats was unacceptable but questioned whether video circulating online was sufficient evidence to establish exactly what happened.

Violence during the olive harvest

The diplomatic incident followed another attack on October 17 in the village of Abu Falah near Ramallah. Masked settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives and seriously injured American photographer Heidi Levine, who was reporting on the farmers for The Washington Post.

Levine said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes despite wearing protective gear identifying her as a journalist. She suffered broken ribs and required surgery on her hand; her camera, phone and passport were taken.

Speaking to reporters in Maryland on October 18, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Israel to crack down hard on settler attacks, warning that President Donald Trump does not want another crisis in the West Bank.

In a statement on X the same day, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the attack on Levine a "despicable act of terrorism" and demanded that those involved be prosecuted.

The attacks have disrupted the olive harvest, a source of income for tens of thousands of Palestinian families. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, on October 19 Israeli settlers cut down 120 olive trees on Palestinian land in the village of Kisan, southeast of Bethlehem. Farmers have also reported assaults, lost harvests, damaged trees and being blocked from reaching their land.

Last week, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said nearly 200 settler attacks linked to this year's harvest had caused casualties or property damage, exceeding the 185 incidents recorded during the entire harvest season last year.