Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, injuring a French mayor and damaging a Belgian consular vehicle. The Israeli military condemned the attack, but the prime minister's office suggested it was part of a campaign to discredit Israel.
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01Summary
- 01The attack occurred in the Palestinian village of Taybeh near Ramallah on Saturday, targeting diplomats from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church.
- 02Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot called for EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence.
- 03France's foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israeli authorities to 'urgently halt this criminal violence'.
- 04The Israel Defense Forces said no soldiers were present at the scene and are investigating.
- 05Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the incident should not be 'sensationalised' and that reports were part of a 'co-ordinated campaign to smear Israel'.
02Why it matters
This incident underscores the rising settler violence in the West Bank, which threatens the safety of diplomats, journalists and Palestinians, and risks further straining Israel's relations with European allies.
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