France demands Israel stop settler attacks after assault on EU diplomats in West Bank
France has urged Israeli authorities to arrest masked settlers who attacked European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday and to end such violence. The EU also condemned the attack, while the Israeli military says none of its soldiers were present.
France's Foreign Ministry on Sunday called on Israel to take all necessary measures to stop what it described as acts of terror, after masked Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday. The West Bank is a Palestinian-populated territory where Israeli settlers also live.
The incident took place in Taybeh, a largely Christian town north of Jerusalem. Diplomats and other officials from France, Poland and Belgium were there watching local residents harvest olives. Video footage shows settlers confronting a convoy of diplomats, with a man wearing a French tricolour sash slumped beside a car.
Reaction from France and Belgium
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on X that the mayor of the French commune of Aulnoye-Aymeries had been violently assaulted, and stressed that Israel must urgently end such criminal acts. The ministry demanded that the perpetrators be arrested and brought to justice, and that Israel ensure the safety of civilians and diplomatic missions, as required by international law.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prévot said that, besides the assault on the mayor, a Belgian vehicle was damaged. He called on Israel to protect Palestinians, diplomats and journalists, and said Belgium would keep pressing for EU sanctions against those responsible and their supporters.
The EU and the Israeli side
An European Union spokesperson said the bloc strongly condemns attacks by violent settlers, including those targeting European diplomats. The spokesperson welcomed condemnations from several Israeli officials but said the EU expects full accountability and effective measures to prevent further violence against Palestinians, including during the olive harvest, and against journalists.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the attack and described the attackers as Israeli rioters. According to a preliminary inquiry, no IDF soldiers were at the scene. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged caution before drawing conclusions, while stating that any violence against diplomats is unacceptable.
