Masked Settlers Attack 4 European Diplomatic Missions in West Bank as Israel Splits on Blame
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 17
Masked Settlers Attack 4 European Diplomatic Missions in West Bank as Israel Splits on Blame
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 17
Summary
Taybeh officials said masked Israeli settlers attacked a European diplomatic convoy in the West Bank, smashing a Belgian consular car window and assaulting French mayor Bernard Baudoux.
The delegation from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church had gone to the largely Christian village near Ramallah to assess near-daily settler attacks on Palestinians bringing in the olive harvest.
Belgium demanded Israel bring those responsible to justice and renewed its push for EU sanctions, while Baudoux said settlers kicked him, beat him with iron bars and threw him to the ground.
Israel's response split: the IDF and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the violence and opened inquiries, but Benjamin Netanyahu's office urged caution and suggested a campaign to smear Israel.