EU and USA condemn settler attack on diplomats and journalists

EU and USA condemn settler attack on diplomats and journalists October 18, 2026 The EU has sharply condemned attacks by violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Palestinians and European diplomats. The European Union acknowledges the criticism through representatives of Israel but expects a full investigation as well as effective measures to prevent further violence, the EU states. This also applies to the protection of journalists. Background: On Saturday, Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel on the Jordan River. According to the accompanying persons, a mayor from France was also assaulted. Mutilated with Iron Bars According to information from diplomatic circles, the European convoy traveled to Tiberias in vehicles of the French, Belgian, and Polish missions to a mostly Christian village in the West Bank. Masked settlers, who apparently wanted to hinder Palestinians from the olive harvest, first insulted the diplomats and then attacked them. The mayor who was attacked is Bernard Baudoux from the northern French city of Aulnoye-Aymeries. The 78-year-old reported later to the news agency AFP that he was thrown to the ground, beaten, and mutilated with iron bars. Since he did not sustain serious injuries, Baudoux was able to continue the visit. This involved the signing of a cooperation agreement between Aulnoye-Aymeries and Tiberias. Baudoux viewed the attack as a sign that the government of Benjamin Netanyahu tolerates the violence of the settlers. Protest from Belgium and France According to information from Brussels, a Belgian vehicle was also damaged during the attack. Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot condemned the attack most severely. "The impunity of violent settlers must come to an end," Prevot demanded. "This violence cannot be separated from Israel's illegal settlement policy. Belgium condemns the expansion of settlements and attempts to forcibly expel Palestinians from their land," said the Belgian Foreign Minister. Prevot also announced that the Belgian Consul General had been part of the delegation. The French Consul General was also in the convoy. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot demanded that Israeli authorities arrest and punish those responsible. The Israeli police stated that they had initiated investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice. Netanyahu dismisses The office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu questioned the reports about the incident and spoke of a "defamation campaign" against settlers. "They are being put in sensational headlines even before the full facts are known," Netanyahu's office made clear. The Europeans should have coordinated their visit with the Israeli military. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also accused the European diplomats of not coordinating with the Israeli military. At the same time, he also stated: "I condemn the serious acts of violence by Israeli hooligans in the area of Tiberias most severely." Such critical statements about the settlers are rarely from Netanyahu's right-wing government, which is under massive pressure before the parliamentary elections in a few days. Journalists also victims of settler violence Further cases of brutal attacks by Israeli settlers are also causing headlines and sharp reactions: On Friday, Israeli settlers attacked a press representative from the USA and severely injured him. The photographer Heidi Levine wanted to take pictures of violence against Palestinian olive farmers for the US newspaper "Washington Post". Earlier, the AFP photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh had already been injured by settlers in the West Bank when he wanted to report on the olive harvest. According to the "Washington Post," Levine wore a protective vest on which "PRESS" was clearly printed on the front and back. She was pushed to the ground and repeatedly kicked. Her camera and mobile phone were taken. Levine suffered cuts all over her body. A rib and four ribs were broken. A finger was torn open so that the bone was exposed. USA demand consequences The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, spoke of a "degrading terrorist act" committed by "cowardly masked" individuals against Levine. He demanded that his host country arrest and punish the involved settlers. The United States also demand stronger action from Israel against settler attacks in the West Bank. "We are very concerned about these images," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US government has asked Israel to act against such incidents. In an explanation published by Netanyahu, it is stated that the circumstances of the confrontation in which Levine was allegedly attacked are unclear and are being investigated. According to reports, about 200 Arabs and left-wing activists confronted about 40 Israeli youths. Pictures showed masked people on both sides throwing objects. According to reports, fireworks were fired at Jewish youths. Area occupied for almost 50 years Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War in 1967. About three million Palestinians live there, and more than 500,000 Israeli settlers, whose settlements are illegal under international law. Under Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel has strongly promoted settlement construction in the West Bank. Since the large attack by the radical Islamist terrorist organization Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, the situation in the West Bank has further worsened. AR/pg/MM (afp, rtr, dpa)