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Masked settlers attack European diplomats and beat French mayor in West Bank

A convoy of European diplomats and Catholic representatives visiting the occupied West Bank was attacked by masked Israeli settlers, resulting in the assault of a visiting French mayor and damaged diplomatic vehicles. The incident unfolded on Saturday during a tense visit to the predominantly Christian village of Taybeh, arriving amid a wave of escalating violence surrounding the annual olive harvest across the Palestinian territory.

According to witnesses and diplomatic reports, cars carrying representatives from the French, Belgian, and Polish missions arrived in Taybeh to assess ground conditions and participate in local olive harvesting activities. Settlers descended upon the area to block Palestinians from gathering their crops. Masked individuals surrounded the vehicles, demanded identification cards, smashed a window on a Belgian consulate car, and targeted the visiting dignitaries (Sana).

Media additions

Among those targeted was Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, who had traveled to Taybeh to formalize a twinning agreement between his community and the village (Wesh). Video footage and witness accounts showed Baudoux, wearing a tricolor sash, being kicked, struck with iron bars, and slumped on the dusty ground against a vehicle (BBC). Speaking afterward, Baudoux expressed astonishment at the unprovoked nature of the assault, stating that the attackers arrived completely enraged (DW).

The violence erupted on the second straight day of major assaults during the olive harvest (PBS). On Friday, settlers seriously injured Heidi Levine, a photographer for The Washington Post, while she covered the harvest in another village (Bozeman Daily Chronicle). According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the harvest began earlier in October (European Interest). Activists note that the West Bank remains under Israeli military rule, with settlers establishing unauthorized outposts while receiving protection from security forces (Gulf Coast News Now).

Reactions from Israeli and international leaders highlighted deep divisions. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned the attack and called for an end to settler impunity, pledging to press for European Union sanctions (Wesh). French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also condemned the assault on social media, demanding that Israeli authorities arrest those responsible (Sana). Poland’s foreign ministry expressed deep outrage over the incident (PBS).

Inside Israel, responses varied sharply. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the acts of violence by rioters, though he also noted that the delegation failed to coordinate its itinerary with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (BBC). The military confirmed the attack and labeled it a severe act of violence, adding that no soldiers were present at the scene (Wesh). Israeli police launched an investigation to bring suspects to justice (Euronews).

Conversely, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned against premature conclusions and suggested the incident formed part of a coordinated campaign to smear Israel and its residents during the harvest season (BBC). Netanyahu has previously championed settlers as he faces a closely contested election campaign (Khaleej Times).

Political rivals swiftly criticized the government's posture. Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main election rival, labeled the incident "Jewish terror" and stated that a handful of criminals was burning up the remaining legitimacy of the state (Wesh). The diplomatic flashpoint occurs as international pressure mounts over West Bank settlements, including recent remarks from China's foreign minister urging Israel to halt settlement expansion (Wesh).

What to Watch Next

• Israeli police and forensic investigators continue their formal inquiries to identify and arrest suspects involved in the diplomatic convoy attack (BBC).
• European Union member states weigh potential sanctions against violent settlers and their supporters (Wesh).
• The upcoming Israeli elections approach amid ongoing scrutiny over security and settler violence in the West Bank (Euronews).

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