Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank, with witnesses reporting violent confrontations and physical altercations. The incident follows a series of attacks by settlers in the region, raising concerns about rising tensions ahead of key elections.
The attack involved masked settlers who targeted a French mayor, Bernard Baudoux, and European diplomats as they participated in a cultural event. Baudoux, a 78-year-old mayor, was hit with iron bars and subjected to verbal abuse, while a European delegation was also attacked. The incident occurred as Israeli settlers have been disrupting Palestinian olive harvests, a significant cultural event.
Israeli officials have condemned the attacks, with the Foreign Ministry calling for an immediate investigation. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador, Mike Huckabee, condemned the violence as a 'despicable act of terror' and urged Israel to prosecute the perpetrators. The incidents highlight growing tensions in the region, particularly as election season approaches and political tensions escalate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the attackers of engaging in a 'smear' campaign against settlers, while opposition figures have criticized the violence as a threat to Israel's legitimacy. The attacks have sparked international concern, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning of a potential 'crisis' in the West Bank.