In brief
Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the largely Christian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah, on Oct. 17, 2026. The assault included a smashed consular vehicle and physical blows to diplomatic staff, including French mayor Bernard Baudoux. Belgium's foreign minister condemned the attack and urged Israel to bring the perpetrators to justice, while the IDF called the incident "severe violence" and confirmed it was investigating. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, however, dismissed the allegations as part of a smear campaign, insisting more evidence was needed. The incident follows a string of settler violence during the West Bank's annual olive‑harvest period.
European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank
On Tuesday, a convoy of European diplomats – including representatives from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church – was assaulted by masked Israeli settlers in the largely Christian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
The attack, filmed on video, saw settlers stone the convoy, smash the glass of a Belgian consular vehicle and physically assault diplomatic staff, photographs capturing at least one person wearing a French tricolour sash collapsed beside a car. French mayor Bernard Baudoux – a left‑wing municipal leader from Aulnoye‑Aymeries – described being kicked, beaten with iron bars and thrown to the ground.
Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prevot condemned the violence, saying the "occupying power must protect Palestinians and safeguard diplomats". He warned that impunity for settlers must end and vowed continued pressure for EU sanctions against those responsible.
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar also denounced the "Israeli rioters", noting the ministry had contacted the ambassadors of the affected nations. The Israel Defence Forces, on the other hand, said it "strongly condemns the severe act of violence" that took place in the area of Taybeh and that no soldiers were present during the incident, a finding it is still investigating.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, however, rejected the claims, labeling the allegations as part of a "coordinated campaign to smear Israel" and asking for caution before drawing conclusions. It said the social‑media images "do not establish the complete sequence of events" and that investigations by Israeli police and forensic specialists were underway.
The assault follows a series of clashes over the annual West Bank olive‑harvest, when Palestinian farmers often face daily attacks from settlers seeking to enforce control over agricultural resources.
The incident has drawn criticism from international diplomatic circles and highlights the fragile security situation for foreign missions operating in the territory.
