BRUSSELS: The European Union on Sunday strongly condemned an attack carried out the previous day by a group of illegal Israeli settlers against visiting European diplomats in the occupied West Bank.
“The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats,” the foreign service said in a communique.
The communiqué also called for full accountability and effective measures to prevent further violence and harassment against Palestinians, particularly during the ongoing olive harvest season, as well as attacks against journalists.
The EU strongly condemns the latest attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats. Full statement here 👇
https://t.co/HWzQjSokUz— Christian Wigand (@ExtSpoxEU) October 18, 2026
“We urge Israel to fully abide by International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, and to cease the expansion of settlements,” the statement concluded.
Israeli settlers attacked convoy of EU diplomats on Saturday
On Saturday, Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank and assaulted a visiting French mayor, witnesses said. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned of a looming “crisis” in the territory, a day after an American photojournalist was injured in a violent attack.
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday, according to Palestinian sources, the Israeli military and media reports. #WorldNow
Read more: https://t.co/YAN3ToAOJF https://t.co/obly6NdhUz
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) October 18, 2026
Violence has been escalating ahead of Israel’s closely contested elections on 27 October. The tensions coincide with the olive harvest, which has repeatedly been disrupted by Israeli settlers, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to strengthen support among his right-wing, pro-settlement base.
Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, said masked settlers shouted defamatory remarks about France before kicking him and striking him with iron bars.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Israel to “urgently halt criminal violence” and arrest those responsible. His Belgian counterpart also urged action against the perpetrators.
UK denounces Israel’s actions in Gaza, West Bank
It is pertinent to mention that UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband last month denounced the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as “a stain on the conscience of the world”.
Delivering a sharp criticism at Labour’s annual conference, Miliband said the threats Israel faces “cannot justify” the actions that have followed.
The UK Foreign Secretary received a large round of applause from the conference hall as he condemned the suffering of Palestinians and set out a tougher approach towards the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.
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“I want to say to the millions of people in this country, and indeed elsewhere, who have been moved and outraged by the plight of the Palestinian people, we hear you. You were right,” he said.
He said Labour had changed its approach under Andy Burnham’s leadership, promising to challenge Israeli abuses of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
