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European diplomats attacked by masked Israeli settlers in West Bank
A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The diplomats, from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church, had traveled to the largely Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah for Saturday's visit.
They had come to assess conditions after almost daily attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians trying to gather their olive harvest.
Belgian authorities said a consular car's window was smashed and a French mayor was assaulted. Video showed a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle.
Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, strongly condemned the violence, describing those involved as Israeli rioters. He said his ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the countries involved.
The Israel Defense Forces condemned the severe violence in the Taybeh area and said diplomatic representatives had been attacked by Israeli rioters.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, cast doubt on what had happened and suggested it was part of a coordinated campaign to smear Israel.
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Israeli police open investigation into reported attack on European diplomats
Israeli police opened an investigation after European diplomats said Israeli settlers assaulted them during a Saturday visit to the occupied West Bank. The prime minister's office urged caution about drawing conclusions and raised concerns about a campaign to smear Israel.
Police said circulating footage appeared to show several diplomats being attacked near Taybeh. They said investigators were trying to find the victims and identify suspects so those responsible could be brought to justice.
Poland's foreign ministry confirmed the incident and said its representatives were unharmed. It also said the information available at that point did not indicate that the Polish representatives had been specifically targeted.
A European Union spokesperson condemned the attacks in a Sunday statement and called for full accountability. The spokesperson also sought effective measures against continuing violence and harassment targeting Palestinians, including during the olive harvest, and journalists.
Poland's foreign ministry said it remained in close contact with its partners to establish the incident's full circumstances.
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