EU diplomats and a French mayor were attacked by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank during the olive harvest. Critics say European condemnations without sanctions allow the violence to continue.
01Summary
- 01Israeli settlers attacked vehicles carrying diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland near Taybeh village on 18 October 2026.
- 02French mayor Bernard Baudoux, 78, was thrown to the ground during the assault.
- 03US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is 'very disturbed' by the attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine.
- 04Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said the country's consul general was among those attacked.
- 05The EU urged Israel to abide by international law and end settlement expansion, but critics say it has not imposed sanctions on violent settlers.
02Why it matters
These attacks disrupt the Palestinian olive harvest, a critical economic and cultural activity, and highlight the impunity settlers enjoy. Without concrete EU action, such violence is likely to continue.
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