Key facts
- Masked Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats in Taybeh, West Bank on Saturday.
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the acts "criminal" and demanded Israel "stop these acts of terror."
- A Belgian vehicle was damaged during the incident.
- The Israel Defense Forces stated no soldiers were present at the time of the attack.
- Belgian officials are pressing for EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence.
France has called on Israeli authorities to take "all necessary measures" to "stop these acts of terror" following an attack by masked Israeli settlers against European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday. The incident occurred in Taybeh, a town north of Jerusalem, where diplomats from France, Poland, and Belgium were observing an olive harvest. Video footage showed settlers confronting the diplomatic convoy, with one man wearing a French tricolor sash seen slumped beside a car. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the assault on the French mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries as "violent" and urged Israel to "urgently put an end to these criminal acts." Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prévot confirmed that a Belgian vehicle was damaged and stated that Israeli authorities must protect Palestinians and diplomats, adding that Belgium would push for EU sanctions against those responsible. The EU strongly condemned the attacks, noting statements of condemnation from several Israeli representatives but expecting full accountability and effective measures to prevent continued violence. The Israel Defense Forces condemned the "severe act of violence" but indicated that no IDF soldiers were present at the scene. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged caution before drawing conclusions but acknowledged that violence against diplomats is unacceptable.