The attack in Taybeh
On Saturday, 17 October, masked settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in Taybeh, a village east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Israeli army radio said the group included diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland, and that the visit coincided with the olive harvest in the area. According to the radio, seven masked settlers surrounded one vehicle, demanded identity documents and smashed a window of a car belonging to the Belgian consulate. The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing local sources, reported that the attackers carried clubs, and a video circulating on social media shows one diplomat being thrown to the ground. Bashar Fawadleh, the parish priest of the Latin Patriarchate in Taybeh, confirmed the attack to the Spanish news agency EFE and said members of the French delegation were also assaulted.
- Settlers attack several Palestinian villages, setting fire to cars and trees and beating residents, including Heidi Levine
- Masked settlers attack a convoy of French, Belgian and Polish diplomats in Taybeh
- Israeli police open an investigation and the army says the visit was not coordinated with it
A French mayor on the ground
The French delegation included Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old left-wing mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France. A video shared by one of the diplomats shows him lying on the ground beside a car, and two diplomats and a local witness confirmed his identity to AFP. One diplomat told AFP that he is not in danger of his life. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on social media that a French mayor had been attacked, a Belgian vehicle damaged and that his own team was safe. Prevot added that Belgium would keep pressing the European Union for sanctions against those responsible for the violence and those who support them.
Israeli army and police response
The Israeli army condemned what it called a grave act of violence in the Taybeh area, in which diplomatic representatives were attacked by Israeli rioters. It said the consulate's visit had not been coordinated with the army, and that such coordination is essential to prevent incidents of this kind. A preliminary check found no soldiers at the scene when the assault took place, and all circumstances will be examined. Israeli police said they had opened an investigation after receiving the footage, and that the foreign ministry had been informed so that it could locate the victims, take their statements and identify suspects. Police also said they condemned violence of every kind and would ensure that everyone involved faces justice.
Heidi Levine and a wider wave of violence
Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photographer, was injured in a separate wave of settler violence. Her daughter told the Associated Press that the tip of her left finger was almost completely severed, with a deep cut to the bone and a visible tendon, and that the finger was operated on. She also said Levine suffered a fractured rib, fractures in several vertebrae and numerous lacerations across her body. Settlers had attacked several Palestinian villages on Friday, 16 October, setting fire to cars and trees and beating residents, Levine among them.
Herzog's apology and reactions
Israeli President Isaac Herzog phoned Levine and apologized for what she had endured, according to a statement from the presidency. He said the conduct of the attackers was contemptible and did not represent Israel's citizens or values.
The despicable behavior of the perpetrators of this attack does not represent the citizens or the values of the State of Israel.
Herzog also called on the government, security services and police to use every means available to investigate thoroughly, identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Israel also condemned the attack, describing those involved as violent protesters. Belgium's foreign minister, meanwhile, linked the violence to what he called Israel's illegal settlement policy, saying the occupation of Palestinian territories must end.