Symbolic imageUS and Belgium press Israel after settler attacks on journalist and diplomats
Masked settlers attacked European diplomats and a French mayor in the West Bank on Saturday, a day after a Washington Post photographer was beaten. The US and Belgium demanded action.
Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was injured near Abu Falah on Friday, 16 October, during the olive harvest. She says about 15 attackers beat her and stole her equipment while IDF soldiers watched; the IDF says it dispersed the confrontation and will investigate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington keeps asking Israel to crack down on settler violence, and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee demanded arrests. Yesh Din counts at least 170 settler attacks on Palestinians since 27 September.
Diplomats attacked near Taybeh
According to Army Radio, about seven masked settlers smashed a window of a Belgian consulate vehicle near Taybeh; French, Belgian and Polish diplomats were present. The IDF confirmed Israeli rioters attacked the diplomats and said no soldiers were there. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said his government will press for EU sanctions.
Netanyahu's office urges caution
Netanyahu's office urged caution, citing a coordinated campaign to smear Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the attack but noted the visit was not coordinated with the IDF, while former army chief Gadi Eisenkot called it Jewish terror under government auspices.