Masked settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank

JERUSALEM (AP) — Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats on Saturday during a visit to the occupied West Bank, Belgium’s foreign minister said, a day after high-profile attacks on Palestinians and others during the sensitive olive harvest.

Read more: Israeli settlers attack Palestinians and beat American photojournalist during West Bank olive harvest

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month. Activists say Israeli authorities have done little to stop attacks involving weapons such as slingshots and guns. An attack on Friday seriously injured a Washington Post photographer and others.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said settlers targeted the Belgian consul general, French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives in Saturday’s attack on the village of Taibe.

“A French mayor was attacked and a Belgian vehicle was damaged. Our team is safe,” Prevot said. He linked the attack to what he called Israel’s “illegal settlement policy” and pledged to push for further EU sanctions.

Prevot added that Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians as an “occupying power.” “Impunity for violent settlers must end.”

The attacks come less than two weeks before a hotly contested election that could end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s term in office. His government, the most nationalist and far-right in Israel’s history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military called Saturday’s attack on the diplomats a “serious act of violence” but said the visit was not coordinated with it and that there were no soldiers on site.

Israeli police said they had launched an investigation.

“The Israeli police condemn any form of violence and will work to complete investigations until all those involved in these cases are brought to justice,” a police statement said.

“I strongly condemn the serious violence committed by the Israeli rioters,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on the X, adding that his ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the countries concerned.