The attack took place in the Christian village of Taybeh during the olive harvest, a period of heightened tension and violence. According to Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, the settlers targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives. Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, told Reuters he was 'violently attacked' and 'thrown to the ground' while harvesting olives in solidarity with the local community. A witness reported that one masked militant shouted 'Vive la France' as he assaulted Baudoux, who was wearing his official sash of office.
Prevot condemned the attack in the strongest terms, linking it to what he called Israel's 'illegal settlement policy' and pledging to push for further European Union sanctions. 'This violence cannot be separated from Israel's illegal settlement policy,' he said in a statement. 'Impunity for violent settlers must end.'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the attack on X, calling the perpetrators 'Israeli rioters' and saying his ministry was in contact with the ambassadors of the affected countries. However, he added that such coordination with the Israeli military could have helped safeguard the visitors' security. The Israeli military also described the attack as a 'severe act of violence' but noted that the visit had not been coordinated.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement warning against 'premature conclusions' and expressed concern about 'a coordinated campaign to smear Israel'. Israeli officials have periodically condemned settler violence, characterising it as the work of a small minority, a characterisation disputed by Palestinians and human rights groups.
The attack came a day after settlers beat an American photojournalist, Heidi Levine of the Washington Post, and others in a separate incident. At least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the olive harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Activists say Israeli authorities do little to stop attacks that involve weapons ranging from slingshots to guns.
Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the attack, calling it a small example of the 'daily terrorism' to which Palestinians are subjected. The attacks occur less than two weeks before closely contested Israeli elections that could end Netanyahu's time in office. His government, the most nationalist and far-right in Israel's history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.