EU, Canada condemn Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinians, European diplomats in West Bank

The EU and Canada on Sunday strongly condemned recent attacks by violent Israeli occupiers in the occupied West Bank, including attacks targeting European diplomats. In a statement, the EU’s diplomatic service acknowledged condemnations by several Israeli representatives but called for accountability and concrete measures to prevent further violence. “The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats,” the readout said. The bloc said it expected “full accountability as well as effective measures to prevent continued acts of violence and violent harassment against Palestinians, including during the ongoing olive harvest season, as well as against journalists.” It also urged Israel to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law and halt illegal settlement expansion. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the “unacceptable attack in Taybeh is part of a broader pattern of settler violence that threatens Palestinian communities and weakens efforts toward peace.” “Canada joins the European Union and our European allies in condemning the latest attack in the West Bank by violent settlers, including on diplomats from Belgium, France, and Poland,” she added. Anand said Ottawa “welcomes the Israeli police investigation. As the occupying power, Israel must ensure full accountability and protect diplomats and civilians in the West Bank.” The attack occurred near the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, where a delegation was visiting during the olive harvest season. The delegation included the French and Belgian consuls, a Polish representative, and Catholic Church officials. Masked Israeli occupiers confronted members of the delegation, and a Belgian consular vehicle had its window smashed. Israeli army radio reported that troops and police arrived at the scene three hours after receiving the delegation's location and footage of the incident, which had been sent within minutes. Separately, opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman accused Netanyahu and his defense and national security ministers of failing to curb attacks by Israeli occupiers. Lieberman warned that their inaction was eroding international support for Israel. Attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their property have intensified during the olive harvest season, which began earlier this month.