West Bank, MINA – Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has condemned an attack by extremist Israeli settlers on European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, demanding accountability for those responsible and an end to what he described as impunity for violent settlers.
“As the occupying power, Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice. Impunity for violent settlers must end,” Prevot said in a social media statement on Saturday.
“Palestinians face this violence every day. Settlers also target journalists reporting on it and diplomats. Harvesting olives, reporting the news or carrying out diplomatic duties should never put anyone at risk of attack,” he added.
Prevot said Belgium would continue pressing for European Union sanctions against those responsible for the violence and those who support them.
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The attack occurred on Saturday when European diplomats from Belgium, France, Poland, and the Catholic Church were visiting Palestinian olive harvesters in Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village near Ramallah.
According to reports, masked Israeli settlers attacked the diplomats and Palestinian residents in the area. The incident came a day after settlers assaulted and injured a US journalist north of Ramallah.
Belgian authorities said a vehicle belonging to the Belgian Consulate had its window smashed during the attack. A French mayor was also reportedly assaulted.
Video footage showed a man wearing a French tricolor sash slumped beside a vehicle. The mayor said settlers kicked him, beat him with iron bars, and threw him to the ground.
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The incident comes amid growing reports of settler violence across the occupied West Bank during the olive harvest season, when Palestinian farmers depend on access to their land to collect crops and sustain their livelihoods.
According to the Israeli rights organization Yesh Din, at least 170 settler attacks were documented from September 27 onward, coinciding with the start of the olive harvest season.
The reported targeting of diplomats and journalists, alongside Palestinian civilians, has intensified international concern over the safety of people visiting or working in Palestinian communities.
Prevot’s call for EU sanctions reflects Belgium’s demand for concrete measures against those responsible for settler violence. He also urged Israeli authorities to fulfill their obligations to protect Palestinians, diplomats, and journalists in the occupied territory.
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The latest incident has renewed calls for accountability and stronger measures to prevent attacks on Palestinian farmers and other civilians during the olive harvest season.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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