EU Condemns Attack on Diplomatic Mission in West Bank

The European Union today condemned the attack on the diplomatic mission in the West Bank village of Taibeh. A EU spokesman stated, “The European Union strongly condemns the recent attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including against European diplomats.” The statement emphasized the need for accountability, noting that some Israeli representatives had condemned the attacks.

The French Foreign Ministry also issued a condemnation following yesterday’s settler attacks. Settlers attacked Palestinian musques and activists who came to assist in the olive harvest at several locations throughout the West Bank. France called on the Israeli authorities to arrest those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice. The ministry urged Israeli authorities to take all necessary steps to end these acts of terrorism and ensure the safety of the civilian population and the security of diplomatic missions, as they are committed to do according to international law.

On Friday, in another incident that received international resonance, Washington Post photographer Heidi Levin was injured in an attack on settlers in the village of Abu Falah. She was forced by the injury to undergo surgery on her palm. Her daughter, Ashley Milner, stated that Levin had almost lost one finger, which had been cut to the bone, as well as that she suffered a broken rib and wounds on her body.

The Polish Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that it strongly condemns the attack, adding that “attacks against members of the diplomatic staff are unacceptable in no way.” The ministry’s statement stated that it expects the Israeli authorities to provide urgent and detailed explanations, identify those responsible, and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. It further stated that the ministry expects “effective steps” to be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar cases in the future.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Ferbo also condemned the attack yesterday. He stated, “I strongly condemn the settler attack in Taibeh, the occupied West Bank, against Palestinians, our consul, French and Polish diplomats as well as Catholic representatives.” Ferbo noted that Palestinians face this violence daily. Settlers also attack journalists who report this, and diplomats. He emphasized that insulting in the attacks of the Israeli settlers, reporting news and carrying out a diplomatic mission should never expose the perpetrators.

The Israeli government has tried to minimize the severity of the incident. An account on the Israeli government’s website, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office’s website, said in E

[Source excerpt truncated for local AI.]

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)