EU Condemns Israeli Settler Attack on European Diplomats in West Bank

Kathmandu. The European Union (EU) on Sunday strongly condemned the attack by Israeli settlers on European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank. The EU's foreign service issued a statement expressing serious concern over the recent attack on European diplomats in the West Bank. It also urged that those involved in the attack be held accountable and effective steps be taken to stop the ongoing violence against Palestinians. The statement also demanded an end to violence against Palestinian farmers during the olive harvesting season and an end to attacks and harassment of journalists. "We urge Israel to fully comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law and to stop settlement expansion," the EU said. On Saturday, a group of Israeli settlers attacked a team of European diplomats in the West Bank. According to eyewitnesses, the visiting French mayor was beaten. Bernard Baudoux, 78, the mayor of Aulnoy-Amboise in northern France, said that masked settlers insulted France and kicked and hit him with an iron rod. Speaking to AFP after the attack, Baudoux said he felt the Israeli government was tolerant of such behavior by Israeli settlers. "The world needs to know what is happening," he said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel to stop the violence immediately and arrest those involved in the incident. The Belgian Foreign Minister also demanded that those responsible be brought to justice. This incident has further increased international concern about violence against Palestinians and the activities of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. It is reported that incidents of attacks on Palestinian farmers and obstruction of crops are occurring during the current olive harvesting season. Meanwhile, tensions and incidents of violence in the West Bank are also increasing as the elections in Israel on October 27 approach. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also expressed concern about the growing crisis in the region the day after an attack on an American photojournalist.