A convoy carrying European diplomats was attacked by Israeli settlers on Sunday in the occupied West Bank, marking an escalation in violence linked to the ongoing Palestinian olive harvest, according to witnesses and diplomatic sources. The incident occurred in Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian town, where Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, was physically assaulted during a goodwill visit.

Diplomatic vehicles from the French, Belgian, and Polish missions had brought representatives to Taybeh when a group of masked Israeli settlers confronted the convoy. Witnesses reported that the settlers attempted to prevent Palestinians from harvesting olives, a seasonal activity that has become a recurring flashpoint. The settlers allegedly made aggressive statements toward the diplomats before attacking Mayor Baudoux, who was reportedly kicked. Video footage reviewed by journalists shows Baudoux sitting slumped against a vehicle, visibly injured but reportedly not requiring hospital treatment.

The olive harvest season in the West Bank has been marked by frequent outbreaks of violence as Israeli settlers seek to obstruct Palestinian farmers. In recent days, an American photographer working for The Washington Post was seriously injured while documenting the harvest, and an AFP photographer was also assaulted last week. These incidents come amid a contested Israeli election campaign in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly courted settler support, praising their presence in the West Bank.

Israel officially condemned Sunday’s attack on the diplomatic mission. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the violence "by Israeli rioters," while also criticizing the European consulates for not coordinating their visit with the Israeli military. Israeli police confirmed that they had launched an investigation, stating efforts were underway to locate victims, gather witness statements, and identify suspects with the goal of prosecuting those responsible.

This official response marked a contrast with Netanyahu’s remarks following the assault on the Washington Post photographer, in which he implied that Palestinians or "far-left" activists might share responsibility for the attack, a stance that drew criticism from various quarters. The latest assault on foreign diplomats reflects ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics around settler activity and Palestinian rights during this sensitive season.