Masked settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank

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1. 2h ago

   Masked Settlers Attack European Diplomats in West Bank

   Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats with metal bars in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. The assault targeted Belgium's consul general alongside French and Polish diplomats during the Palestinian olive harvest. Israel's military condemned the incident as a severe act of violence and police arrested 10 individuals following weekend attacks on a journalist and the diplomats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned against premature conclusions, stating there is no compelling evidence that settlers attacked the diplomats. Poland subsequently urged Israel to rein in settlers and protect civilians in the territory.

   Why it matters

   The attack occurred amid escalating violence during the seasonal olive harvest in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Health Ministry reports at least four deaths since the harvest began earlier in the month. The incident follows a separate assault on a Washington Post journalist in a West Bank village on Friday. International concern has mounted over settler violence and the safety of foreign missions operating in the occupied territories.

   What is confirmed

   • Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.
   • The attackers targeted Belgium's consul general as well as French and Polish diplomats.
   • Israeli police arrested 10 people after weekend attacks by settlers on a journalist and diplomats.
   • Israel's military condemned the attack as a severe act of violence and opened an investigation.
   • Poland told Israel that it must protect civilians in the occupied West Bank following the attack on its officials.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed there is no compelling evidence that settlers attacked European diplomats.

   What to watch next

   • Further findings from the Israeli police investigation into the weekend attacks
   • Diplomatic responses from European nations regarding the security of their representatives in the West Bank
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. abcnews.com — ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
   2. help.naver.com — Futures Flat As Oil Rebounds After Trump's "Energy Ceasefire" Unravels, Memory Stocks Slide | ZeroHedge
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   4. www.euronews.com — French debt | Euronews
   5. The Guardian — Masked settlers attack European diplomats in occupied West Bank
   6. The Guardian — Israeli settlers attack European diplomats in West Bank
   7. BBC — European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank
   8. CNN — Israeli settlers attack diplomats in West Bank one day after assault on Washington Post journalist
   9. Reuters — Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, European diplomats in West Bank, Belgium says
   10. Al Jazeera — Israeli settlers attack European diplomats during West Bank olive harvest
   11. The New York Times — Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians and Diplomats in West Bank
   12. The Times of Israel — Amid condemnations, Netanyahu claims no ‘compelling evidence’ settlers attacked European diplomats
   confidence 95%