Belgian foreign minister condemns masked settlers’ attack in Taybeh, citing assault on French mayor and damage to Belgian vehicle

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot strongly condemned an attack by masked Israeli settlers in Taybeh, in the occupied West Bank, targeting Palestinians, diplomats from Belgium, France and Poland, and Catholic representatives. He said a French mayor was assaulted, a Belgian vehicle was damaged and the Belgian diplomatic team was safe.

Prevot said Palestinians face such violence daily and that occupiers also target journalists and diplomats. Harvesting olives, reporting the news or carrying out diplomatic duties, he stressed, should never put anyone at risk of attack.

He called on Israeli authorities, as the occupying power, to protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice. Prevot said impunity for violent settlers must end and that Belgium would continue pressing for European Union sanctions against those responsible for the violence and their supporters. He linked the attack to Israel’s settlement policy, reiterated Belgium’s condemnation of settlement expansion and forced displacement, and said the occupation of Palestinian territory must end.