Masked settlers attack European diplomats during West Bank olive harvest; Israeli police open probe

Approximately seven masked settlers allegedly attacked European diplomats during the Palestinian olive harvest near the village of Taybeh in the West Bank on Saturday, according to an Army Radio report cited by Israeli media.

French diplomats — including the French consul in Jerusalem — as well as Belgian and Polish diplomats were present at the scene. The Times of Israel reports that the seven settlers arrived at the area on ATVs, surrounded the diplomatic vehicle, demanded to see identity documents, and smashed the window of a vehicle belonging to the Belgian consulate. Footage published by the station shows one of the diplomatic vehicles pelted with stones, and a video shows one of the diplomats lying on the ground.

Israel Police said the Binyamin Police Station had opened an investigation into an assault after footage of the incident circulated online. “Upon receiving the footage, police opened an investigation and forwarded a report to the Foreign Ministry in order to locate the victims, collect testimonies, and identify the suspects so that they can be brought to justice,” the police statement said, adding that police “condemns violence of any kind”.

A woman who witnessed the events said the settlers blocked her and another Israeli activist at the scene: “The settlers blocked us, surrounded the vehicle and demanded to see our identity cards. We updated the army in real time, but they neither arrived nor responded.”

The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the Palestinian olive harvest in the West Bank, where the IDF completed harvest-security preparations earlier in October.

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel