The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has squarely placed the blame on the Israeli government for an assault carried out by settlers against a European diplomatic delegation during their tour of an area threatened with forced eviction, east of Ramallah.
In a press statement, the Ministry highlighted that this assault also reflects the fascist, racist mindset dominating the settlers’ behavior and their attacks, showing blatant disregard for international law. The act was seen as belittling European stances opposing the settlements and is an extension of ethnic cleansing operations against Palestinian citizens and their properties.
The previous night, armed Israeli settlers had targeted the European diplomatic delegation during their tour of the Bedouin gathering “Wadi al-Siq”, which is under threat of forced displacement, near the village of “Deir Dibwan” east of Ramallah.
Reports indicated that armed settlers attacked a delegation comprising diplomats from 10 European Union nations who were participating in a tour with Palestinian citizens, visiting the gathering located in the “C” zone of the West Bank.
The delegation reportedly proceeded to the town of “Al-Taybeh”, situated in the so-called (B) area, to avoid any confrontations with the settlers. However, they pursued the delegation into the town, with one settler even raising his weapon towards the group, threatening to shoot.
The European Union, in a post on “X” (previously known as Twitter), stated, “During a diplomatic tour to Palestinian gatherings in the ‘C’ area, facing displacement threats, European diplomats, among others, were subjected to violent harassment by Israeli settlers.”
The EU further added, “We reiterate our concerns regarding the escalating settler violence and urge Israeli authorities to take actions against violent settlers, dismantle illegal settlement outposts, and provide protection to Palestinians living under occupation.”
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The region is segmented into Areas A, B, and C, with different administrative and security arrangements. Area C, where the incident took place, is under full Israeli military control.
Over the past years, the issue of Israeli settlements has been a significant point of contention, both internationally and locally. These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law, a standpoint that Israel disputes.
The EU has been a vocal critic of Israeli settlement activities and has consistently called for a two-state solution. Attacks on European officials, as seen in this incident, exacerbate tensions and put a spotlight on the ongoing challenges in the region.
