European diplomats attacked during West Bank olive harvest amid surge in settler violence
publishers 45articles 69first reported 7 Oct, 16:13 UTCdeveloping since 8 Oct · 21 editions
Masked Israeli settlers attacked a delegation of European diplomats and other visitors near Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on Saturday as they accompanied Palestinians harvesting olives.
The delegation included Belgian, French and Polish diplomats, Catholic representatives, and Bernard Baudoux, mayor of the French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries. Baudoux was knocked to the ground, while a Belgian consular vehicle had a window smashed. The Guardian reported that settlers also assaulted Palestinian harvesters, including an elderly woman, and injured a man who required stitches.
Belgium and France condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be prosecuted. The European Union demanded accountability and measures to prevent further violence. Israel’s military described the incident as a “severe act of violence” and said it was investigating, while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the attackers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office questioned accounts of the incident, describing them as part of a campaign to smear Israel and asking for compelling evidence despite published footage.
The attack came amid a sharp rise in violence during the annual olive harvest. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said nearly 200 harvest-related settler attacks causing casualties or property damage have been recorded this year, already exceeding its tally for the entire 2025 season. OCHA said the attacks have killed one Palestinian, injured more than 120 people and damaged more than 2,500 trees or saplings, with about 80% occurring in the past two weeks.
UN rights experts on Monday urged Israel to protect Palestinian farmers and ensure they can safely reach their land.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 276 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 45
- Source articles
- 69
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 276 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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