Israeli occupiers attack European diplomatic delegation in occupied West Bank

Israeli occupiers attacked a diplomatic delegation comprising representatives from France, Belgium and Poland on Saturday while visiting the town of Taybeh, central occupied West Bank, causing injuries. The attack took place after an official ceremony marking the signing of a twinning agreement between the Palestinian town of Taybeh and the French town of Saint-Pierre, Taybeh Mayor Suleiman Khourieh told Anadolu. The ceremony was attended by the French and Belgian consuls, a Polish representative whose name was not disclosed, and Saint-Pierre Mayor Christian Ravain. The attack targeted the delegation in the western part of the town, as well as Palestinians who were picking olives. It left several town residents injured and shattered the window of a vehicle belonging to the Belgian delegation, Khourieh added. Israeli Army Radio, citing witnesses and footage, also said that the occupiers hurled stones at one of the diplomatic vehicles, smashing its window. Footage showed a member of the delegation lying on the ground after the attack. The person shown lying on the ground beside the diplomatic vehicle was Bernard Boudot, a French politician and mayor of Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes in northern France, the broadcaster said. After the attack began, activists accompanying the European diplomats sent the Israeli army’s operations room the location and video evidence of the incident two minutes later, according to the outlet. It added that no Israeli army or police forces arrived for three hours after the report was filed to assist the diplomats, take their statements or gather evidence. Khourieh described the attack as “a flagrant violation of the sanctity of diplomatic and humanitarian work” and part of ongoing restrictions imposed on Palestinian farmers. The Israeli army claimed in a statement that the consular delegation’s visit had not been coordinated with it in advance, while Israeli police announced separately that they opened an investigation into the incident. Attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their land have intensified during the olive harvest season, which began in early October and provides a key source of income for thousands of Palestinian families. Palestinian, Israeli and international rights organizations have accused Israeli authorities of failing to stop occupier violence or hold perpetrators accountable despite attacks targeting Palestinians, their homes, farmland, vehicles and other property. Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land are considered illegal under international law, while Palestinians maintain their rights to their land and reject attempts to seize it.