Masked settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank
Belgian foreign minister urges further EU sanctions and links attack to Israel’s ‘illegal settlement policy’
TL;DR
- European diplomats were attacked by masked settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.
- The attack targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives.
- Belgium's foreign minister condemned the attack, linking it to Israel's 'illegal settlement policy' and calling for an end to settler impunity.
- He pledged to push for further EU sanctions and condemned settlement expansion and forced displacement of Palestinians.
- Israeli authorities called the attack a 'severe act of violence' and opened an investigation.
- The incident occurred during the olive harvest season, which has seen at least four deaths and over 100 injuries among Palestinians.
- The attacks precede closely contested Israeli elections.