By Our Correspondent
October 17, 2026
Masked Israeli settlers have reportedly attacked a convoy of European diplomats and assaulted a 78-year-old French mayor in the occupied West Bank, sparking fresh international condemnation amid escalating violence against Palestinians during the annual olive harvest.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian village, where diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland had visited to show solidarity with local residents harvesting olives.
According to reports by Reuters, AFP and Vanguard, the attackers confronted the delegation, assaulted the French mayor and damaged a vehicle belonging to the Belgian diplomatic mission.
French Mayor Recounts Ordeal
The French mayor, Bernard Baudoux, who leads the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, said he was violently attacked while participating in the olive harvest alongside Palestinian farmers.
Baudoux, who is 78, said the masked attackers kicked him, struck him with iron bars and threw him to the ground.
Video footage circulated after the incident reportedly showed the mayor lying on the ground beside a vehicle.
Although he sustained injuries, reports indicated that he did not require hospital treatment.
Baudoux had travelled to Taybeh to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian community and participate in a goodwill initiative involving the French town and the local community.
He expressed concern over the violence and suggested that the conduct of the attackers raised questions about the protection available to Palestinians and international visitors in the area.
European Diplomats Caught in the Attack
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, confirmed that the delegation included Belgium’s consul general to the Palestinians, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives.
Prévot condemned the incident, insisting that Israeli authorities had a responsibility to protect Palestinians, diplomats and journalists in the occupied territory.
He also called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.
Poland’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maciej Wewiór, confirmed that Polish diplomats were involved in the incident but said they were unharmed.
The attack has raised further concerns about the safety of foreign officials and observers visiting Palestinian communities to monitor or show solidarity during the olive harvest.
Israeli Government Reacts
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, condemned the violence, describing those responsible as Israeli rioters.
However, Sa’ar also argued that the diplomatic delegation should have coordinated its visit with the Israeli military, suggesting that such arrangements could have helped protect the visitors.
The Israeli military subsequently condemned the incident, while clarifying that the diplomatic visit had not been coordinated with it and that no soldiers were present at the scene when the attack occurred.
Israeli police announced that an investigation had been opened to identify the victims, obtain witness statements and locate the suspects.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not announced any arrests connected with the incident.
Attack Follows Assault on American Journalist
The assault on the European delegation occurred a day after Israeli settlers reportedly attacked American photojournalist Heidi Levine of The Washington Post while she was covering Palestinian farmers harvesting olives.
Levine sustained serious injuries, including broken vertebrae, according to reports.
Another journalist, AFP photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh, had also reportedly been assaulted earlier in the month while covering tensions surrounding the olive harvest.
The successive incidents have intensified concerns about the safety of journalists, international observers and Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank.
Belgium Considers Push for EU Sanctions
Belgium’s foreign minister said his country would push for European Union sanctions against those responsible for the violence and individuals supporting it.
Prévot also criticised what he described as impunity for violent settlers, arguing that the authorities must ensure accountability.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions during the Palestinian olive harvest, an important economic and cultural activity for many Palestinian families.
Palestinian residents and human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns about attacks on farmers, damage to olive trees and interference with access to agricultural land.
Why the Incident Matters
The attack carries implications beyond the immediate injuries and property damage.
First, it raises concerns about the security of foreign diplomats operating in the occupied West Bank.
Second, it places renewed international attention on violence against Palestinian farmers during a critical agricultural season.
Third, it could increase diplomatic pressure on Israel, particularly if investigations fail to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The incident also highlights continuing disagreements over the responsibilities of Israeli authorities in protecting Palestinians and foreign visitors in territory occupied by Israel since 1967.
As investigations continue, attention will focus on whether the suspects are identified and whether the incident leads to concrete legal or diplomatic consequences.
Sources: Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP).
