The EU and Canada have strongly condemned Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, including those targeting European diplomats, and called for accountability.
In separate statements on Sunday, the EU’s diplomatic service and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand urged Israel to protect diplomats and Palestinian civilians and prevent further violence.
“The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats,” the bloc said.
While acknowledging condemnations by several Israeli representatives, it demanded “full accountability” and effective measures to prevent violence and harassment against Palestinians, including during the olive harvest, as well as against journalists.
The EU also urged Israel to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law and halt illegal settlement expansion.
‘Broader pattern of settler violence’
Anand described the attack near Taybeh, east of Ramallah, as part of a broader pattern of settler violence threatening Palestinian communities and undermining peace efforts.
“Canada joins the European Union and our European allies in condemning the latest attack in the West Bank by violent settlers, including on diplomats from Belgium, France, and Poland,” she said.
Welcoming an Israeli police investigation, Anand stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, must ensure accountability and protect diplomats and civilians.
The delegation was visiting the area during the olive harvest and included French and Belgian consuls, a Polish representative and Catholic Church officials.
Masked Israeli settlers confronted the delegation and smashed a window of a Belgian consular vehicle.
Israeli army radio reported that troops and police arrived three hours after receiving the delegation’s location and footage sent within minutes of the incident.
Separately, opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman accused Netanyahu and his defence and national security ministers of failing to curb settler attacks, warning that their inaction was eroding international support for Israel.
Settler attacks on Palestinians and their property have intensified during the olive harvest season, which began earlier this month.
