“They arrived extremely angry. It is incredible that settlers can behave in that way,” said Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, after a group of settlers attacked a diplomatic convoy near the Palestinian village of Taybeh in the West Bank. The incident occurred during the olive harvest season when seven masked individuals surrounded vehicles carrying representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, alongside Catholic Church officials. The assailants demanded identification documents, smashed the window of a Belgian consulate vehicle, and assaulted the French mayor, leaving him on the ground beside a jeep wearing a French flag sash.
Assault Details and Official Reactions from European Capitals
The violence unfolded near Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian village, as settlers moved to block Palestinians from harvesting their olives. Mayor Baudoux stated he was kicked and beaten with iron bars during the confrontation, though diplomatic officials later confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening. The Belgian foreign minister, Maxime Prevot, condemned the attack in the strongest terms on social media, demanding an end to settler impunity and urging accountability for those responsible. Jean-Noel Barrot similarly called on Israeli authorities to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice, while Polish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewior denounced the incident as entirely unacceptable.
Israeli Official Responses and Security Disputes
Gideon Sa’ar condemned the violence carried out by rioters on social media platform X, announcing the launch of an investigation. However, Sa’ar and the Israel Defense Forces noted that the European diplomatic visit had not been coordinated in advance with military authorities, asserting that prior coordination helps ensure visitor safety. Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed concern over a potential coordinated campaign to discredit Israel and Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria during the harvest period, while emphasizing that preliminary footage did not yet clarify the exact sequence of events or individual responsibilities. Meanwhile, the Israel Police also announced an investigation into the confrontation.
Wider Context of West Bank Settler Violence
Israeli settlements in the territory are considered illegal under international law, and the United Nations has warned that their continued expansion undermines the prospects for creating a Palestinian state. In July 2026, the UN Human Rights Office reported that settler attacks against Palestinians had reached the highest level ever since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas in 2023. This diplomatic incident occurred the day after settlers had beaten and robbed Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Taybeh Incident
Who were the victims of the attack near Taybeh?
The targeted convoy carried diplomatic personnel from France, Belgium, and Poland, as well as Catholic Church representatives and French mayor Bernard Baudoux. The group was visiting the West Bank during the seasonal olive harvest.
What damage was sustained during the confrontation?
Assailants smashed the window of a vehicle belonging to the Belgian consulate and physically assaulted Mayor Baudoux with iron bars and kicks. Officials confirmed that their team members survived the ordeal without life-threatening injuries.
How did Israeli authorities respond to the incident?
Gideon Sa’ar and the Israel Police condemned the violence and announced investigations to identify and prosecute the suspects. Both military and government officials pointed out that the diplomatic delegation had failed to coordinate their travel itinerary with the IDF in advance.
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