A European diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank town of Taybeh was assaulted by illegal Israeli settlers on Saturday. The incident occurred following an official ceremony held to mark a new twinning agreement between Taybeh and the French town of Saint-Pierre. The event had been attended by several high-ranking officials, including the French and Belgian consuls, a representative from Poland, and Saint-Pierre Mayor Christian Ravain.
According to Taybeh Mayor Suleiman Khourieh, the delegation was targeted while in the western part of the town, where they were accompanying local Palestinians who were gathering olives. The assault resulted in injuries to several Palestinian residents and caused damage to a vehicle belonging to the Belgian delegation. Footage broadcast by Israeli media depicted a member of the delegation lying on the ground next to a diplomatic vehicle. Channel 12 identified the individual as Bernard Boudoux, who serves as the mayor of Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes in northern France.
Witness accounts and video evidence cited by Israeli Army Radio indicate that the attackers threw stones at the diplomatic convoy, shattering at least one vehicle window. Mayor Khourieh condemned the violence as a "flagrant violation of the sanctity of diplomatic and humanitarian work," while also highlighting how the incident reflects the broader restrictions placed upon Palestinian farmers. Despite the severity of the attack, the Israeli military reported that no arrests had been made and that the incident remains under review.
The attack has heightened existing concerns regarding the safety of residents and agricultural workers during the annual olive harvest, which began in early October. For many Palestinian families, olive farming is a vital source of income, and the recent surge in settler violence has intensified fears for the security of both local farmers and visiting international officials.
