The key facts

  • A delegation including the consuls of France and Belgium, a representative of Poland and church officials was attacked near Tayibe; the Belgian consular car had a window smashed
  • The EU demanded full accountability and an end to settlement expansion; Canada welcomed the police investigation
  • According to the Israeli army radio station, the military and police arrived at the scene three hours after receiving information about the incident

EU and Canada condemnation

The EU and Canada on Sunday sharply condemned recent settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, including the attack on European diplomats. The EU diplomatic service noted the condemnations from a number of Israeli officials, but demanded accountability and concrete measures to prevent further violence. The bloc said it expects 'full accountability, as well as effective measures to prevent the ongoing acts of violence and harassment against Palestinians, including during the ongoing olive harvest season, as well as against journalists.' The EU also called on Israel to fully comply with international humanitarian law and human rights and to halt the illegal expansion of settlements.

Canada's position

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called the 'unacceptable attack in Tayibe' part of a broader pattern of settler violence that threatens Palestinian communities and undermines efforts to achieve peace. She said Canada joins the EU and European allies in condemning the attack, in which diplomats from Belgium, France and Poland were affected. Ottawa welcomes the police investigation, and, according to Anand, 'as the occupying power, Israel must ensure full accountability and protect diplomats and civilians in the West Bank.'

Circumstances of the incident

The attack took place near the town of Tayibe east of Ramallah, where the delegation was present during the olive harvest season. It included the consuls of France and Belgium, a representative of Poland and representatives of the Catholic Church. Masked settlers confronted members of the delegation, and a window of the Belgian consular car was smashed. According to the Israeli army radio station, the military and police arrived at the scene three hours after information about the delegation's location and a recording of the incident was sent in the first minutes.

Israeli domestic reaction and context

Leader of the opposition party 'Yisrael Beiteinu' Avigdor Lieberman accused Netanyahu, as well as the defense and national security ministers, of failing to curb settler attacks and warned that their inaction undermines international support for Israel. Settler attacks on Palestinians and their property have increased since the start of the olive harvest season at the beginning of this month.