Masked Israeli settlers attacked a group of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank village of Taybeh on Saturday, according to Belgium's foreign minister. The incident marks the second consecutive day of high-profile violence during the sensitive olive harvest season, a period that has already seen at least four deaths and more than 100 injuries since its start earlier this month.
The attack targeted Belgium's consul general, along with French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot stated that a French mayor was assaulted and a Belgian vehicle was damaged, though the diplomatic team remained safe. The violence occurred less than two weeks before Israeli elections that could determine the future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices and international observers have condemned the attacks as symptomatic of unchecked settler violence. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot linked the assault to what he described as Israel's "illegal settlement policy" and pledged to push for further European Union sanctions. "Impunity for violent settlers must end," Prevot said.
Amit Orfali, an activist at the scene, reported that the masked men "threatened to kill us."
Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photographer who was seriously injured in a separate attack on Friday, used the term "Jewish terror" to describe the violence in an interview with the Associated Press. Levine, who has covered the region for over 40 years, stated she was "shocked and insulted" by the government's response and noted that she had "never seen this country in such a state as it is today."
What the Right Is Saying
The Israeli government and right-wing leaders have responded with a mix of condemnation and diplomatic caution. Israel's military confirmed the attack on the diplomats, calling it a "severe act of violence," but noted that the diplomatic visit had not been coordinated with the military and that no soldiers were present at the scene.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the "severe acts of violence by Israeli rioters" and stated that his ministry was in contact with ambassadors from the affected countries.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement warning against "premature conclusions" regarding the incident. The office noted concerns about "a coordinated campaign to smear Israel," suggesting that the international backlash was politically motivated rather than solely a reflection of the event itself.
Israeli police announced they had opened an investigation and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. Netanyahu's main rival in the elections, Gadi Eisenkot, said on X that "a handful of criminals is burning up the last shreds of legitimacy left to the state of Israel," using the term "Jewish terror" to describe the settlers' actions.
What the Numbers Show
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured in the West Bank since the olive harvest began earlier in October. The attacks have involved weapons ranging from slingshots to guns, according to activists. The U.N. and much of the international community consider the settlements in the West Bank to be illegally occupied, noting that settlers have established hundreds of additional outposts without government authorization while receiving protection from the Israeli military.
The Bottom Line
The attacks highlight the escalating tensions in the West Bank ahead of Israel's closely contested elections. The incident underscores the fragility of the security situation in the occupied territories and the potential for further international diplomatic friction, particularly as European nations consider sanctions in response to settler violence.