10 arrested after attack on European diplomats in West Bank

The police operation took place in the Benjamin region, an area in the occupied West Bank, just north and north-east of Jerusalem. According to police, there is evidence that the 10 suspects were involved in Saturday’s violence.

The group was attacked near Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian village in the West Bank, by masked Israelis. The delegation – which was visiting to show solidarity with locals during the olive harvest – included the Belgian consul-general in Jerusalem, Anick Van Calster, and representatives from France and Poland. A French mayor was attacked and a Belgian diplomatic vehicle was damaged.

Van Calster told VRT that this direct attack on diplomats crossed a dangerous line. “Attacking diplomats is a new escalation,” she said. “Since the start of the olive harvest, there have already been more incidents than there were throughout the whole of last year’s season. The violence has truly reached new heights.”

The suspects are being questioned and are due to appear before a judge. Police also seized vehicles and other potential evidence. According to the local police commissioner, they will be treated with a “professional, equal and impartial approach”. 

However, the investigation goes beyond the violence perpetrated by the settlers. A preliminary investigation suggests that the Israeli army may have failed to act on several warnings.

The first reports of threats by settlers are said to have come in at around 13.00, but no soldiers or police officers were present to prevent the attack. The army was not officially notified of the incident until around 15.00, after the attack had already ended. A separate investigation into that response is to be carried out.

According to Palestinian reports, settlers in Taybeh stole money and around 25 sheep. Elsewhere, they are said to have sprayed graffiti and attempted to set vehicles alight.