EU demands accountability after settlers attack diplomats in West Bank

The European Union called for “full accountability” on Sunday after masked Israeli settlers attacked a delegation of European diplomats and other visitors supporting Palestinian olive growers in the occupied West Bank. The assault came a day after settlers beat an American photojournalist covering the harvest.

The delegation was visiting olive groves near Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village east of Ramallah, on Saturday. It included diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland, Catholic Church representatives and Bernard Baudoux, the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France.

Baudoux, 78, said he was kicked and beaten despite wearing his French mayoral sash. “I was thrown to the ground,” he told Reuters. Members of the group were threatened, and a window of a Belgian diplomatic vehicle was smashed.

The EU welcomed Israeli officials’ condemnation of the attack but called for effective measures to prevent further violence against Palestinians and journalists during the olive harvest. It also urged Israel to respect international law and stop expanding settlements in the occupied territory.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Israel to arrest the attackers and protect civilians. Belgium said its personnel were safe. Poland said its diplomats were unharmed, with no indication they had been specifically targeted, and demanded an explanation and action against those responsible.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the violence and said police had opened an investigation. He also said the delegation had not coordinated its visit with the Israeli military, arguing that advance arrangements could have helped protect it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said violence against diplomats was unacceptable but questioned whether video circulating online was enough to establish exactly what happened.

On Friday, masked settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Abu Falah, near Ramallah, and severely injured Heidi Levine, a 63-year-old American photojournalist working for The Washington Post. Levine said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes despite wearing a helmet and protective vest identifying her as a journalist. She suffered broken ribs, underwent hand surgery and said her camera, phone and passport were stolen.

“I was attacked, pushed to the ground,” Levine said. “Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they just kept kicking and kicking me.” She said Palestinian colleagues intervened to save her.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the assault a “despicable act of terror” and demanded an investigation, arrests and prosecutions. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Levine in hospital and described the attack as “outrageous and shocking,” according to The Guardian. The Washington Post also called for a full and transparent investigation.

The attacks have disrupted a harvest that provides income for tens of thousands of Palestinian families. The United Nations humanitarian office said last week that nearly 200 settler attacks linked to this year’s harvest had caused casualties or property damage, surpassing the 185 recorded during all of last year’s season. On Sunday, settlers cut down 120 olive trees on Palestinian-owned land near Bethlehem, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.