Israeli settlers attacked a European diplomatic delegation in the West Bank on Saturday, escalating tensions during the annual Palestinian olive harvest, a period marked by frequent violence in the region. The delegation included representatives from France, Belgium, Poland, and members of the Catholic Church visiting to observe conditions for Palestinian farmers.

Bernard Baudoux, the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, was physically assaulted during the incident in Taybeh, a Palestinian Christian village. Witnesses reported that settlers, some masked and armed with clubs, struck Baudoux with iron bars, kicked him, and threw him to the ground. The attackers reportedly shouted "Vive la France" as the assault occurred. Baudoux’s wife and Vincent Dollmann, the archbishop of Cambrai, were also threatened. Meanwhile, a vehicle belonging to the Belgian consulate had its window smashed during the attack.

The delegation had proceeded to Taybeh amid reports of rising settler violence targeting Palestinian farmers, particularly around the critical olive harvest season. Palestinian residents and local clergy described the attack as a disturbing escalation. Father Bashar Fawadleh, Taybeh’s parish priest, emphasized that the violence against foreign diplomats indicated a heightened level of aggression that historically had not extended to international visitors.

The violence follows the prior day’s brutal assault on Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photographer, who suffered broken vertebrae and required surgery after being attacked while documenting the harvest in Abu Falah. Levine’s family and her employer have called for justice, with her son noting that The Washington Post’s ownership intends to intervene. The assault has drawn sharp condemnation from U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who urged Israel to tighten its response to settler violence. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also described the attack as a "despicable act of terror."

Since the olive harvest began in late September, Israeli settlers have reportedly carried out over 170 attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the Israeli organization Yesh Din. These incidents have included physical violence against farmers, damage to property, and theft of olives, contributing to a climate of fear that impedes Palestinians’ ability to gather crops. Palestinian authorities report multiple injuries and at least four deaths linked to settler violence during this period.

Israeli officials have responded with calls for investigations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the diplomats' accounts, suggesting their presence in what he termed a "sensitive area" without coordination may have contributed to the confrontation. His office stated that the full sequence of events and accountability remain unclear pending a police inquiry. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the violence and reaffirmed that police had launched an investigation.

However, some European diplomats and observers reject Israel’s requirement that diplomats notify the military in advance of travel within the West Bank, describing it as a violation of diplomatic norms and international law. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot criticized what he described as a culture of impunity for settler violence, calling on Israel to ensure the protection of Palestinians and foreign visitors alike.

Political reactions within Israel have varied. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert advocated for international judicial intervention over the ongoing settler violence, while former General Gadi Eisenkot labeled the attacks as "Jewish terror" sanctioned by the government, albeit criticizing the violence for damaging broader settlement interests and national security. Eisenkot supports settlement expansion but calls for the containment of militant settler actions.

The incident underscores the ongoing volatility in the West Bank, where clashes between settlers and Palestinians persist amid complex legal and security frameworks, with international observers increasingly concerned about the toll on Palestinian livelihoods and the safety of diplomats and journalists operating in the area.