DaysOfPal — A French mayor injured in an attack by Israeli settlers on a European diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank has accused the Israeli government of tolerating settler attacks, as France and Belgium condemned the assault and called for accountability.

The delegation, which included representatives of the French and Belgian consulates and the Polish representative office to the Palestinian Authority, was visiting the Palestinian town of Al-Taybeh, east of Ramallah, on Saturday when masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and members of the visiting group, according to diplomats and local residents.

The assault injured Bernard Boudoux, mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, and damaged a Belgian diplomatic vehicle.

The attack has intensified international criticism of Israel's failure to prevent settler assaults in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian farmers, journalists, and international observers face repeated threats.

French Mayor Accuses Israeli Government of Tolerating Settler Attacks

Boudoux, who was accompanying the European delegation, said the settlers' actions reflected the Israeli government's tolerance of attacks carried out by settlers.

"I believe that if the settlers behave in this way, it means there is tolerance on the part of the Israeli government," he said.

Video shared by a diplomat showed Boudoux lying on the ground, leaning against a vehicle following the assault.

Two diplomats and a local resident confirmed his identity to AFP. One diplomat said the mayor had sustained injuries but did not require hospitalization.

The precise circumstances of the attack were not immediately clear, but officials said masked settlers had targeted both Palestinian residents and members of the visiting delegation.

Boudoux's remarks drew attention to longstanding accusations that Israeli authorities have failed to adequately protect Palestinians and hold settlers accountable for attacks in the occupied territory.

Belgium Condemns Assault and Demands Sanctions

Belgian official Hadja Lahbib strongly condemned the attack in a statement posted on X.

She denounced "in the strongest terms" the assault by masked settlers in Al-Taybeh, saying it targeted Palestinians, Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and representatives of the Catholic Church.

Lahbib confirmed that a French mayor had been assaulted and a Belgian vehicle damaged, while assuring that the Belgian delegation was safe.

"Picking olives, covering the news, or carrying out diplomatic duties should never expose anyone to attack," she wrote.

She also reaffirmed Belgium's intention to pursue sanctions against Israeli settlers responsible for attacks and those who support them.

The statement reflected growing European concern over settler attacks extending beyond Palestinian communities to foreign diplomats and international visitors.

Settler Attacks Threaten Palestinians and International Observers

The assault in Al-Taybeh comes amid repeated attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian farmers, journalists, aid workers, and international solidarity activists across the occupied West Bank.

The annual olive harvest has become a particularly dangerous period for Palestinian farmers, who face assaults, intimidation, crop theft, and restrictions on reaching their agricultural land.

International observers accompanying Palestinian communities have also faced attacks while documenting settler activity or attempting to support farmers during the harvest.

United Nations agencies and human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about settler attacks and the lack of accountability for those responsible.

Israel's far-right governing coalition has faced mounting criticism from European governments and international organizations over its response to such attacks and its continued expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law.

Israeli Authorities Question Account of Attack

Israeli authorities questioned whether sufficient evidence had been presented to substantiate the reported assault, according to the account cited in the original report.

They also said the delegation's visit had not been coordinated with Israeli forces.

That response contrasted with accounts from diplomats and local residents, as well as video showing the injured French mayor following the attack.

The assault has renewed scrutiny of Israel's responsibility to protect civilians and diplomatic visitors in the occupied West Bank.

For Palestinian communities that have faced repeated settler attacks, the international condemnation comes amid continuing concerns over their safety, access to agricultural land, and the absence of effective accountability.

Source : Safa News