Israel must explain why it failed to prevent attacks on diplomats in West Bank - editorial

The Jerusalem Post editorial demands Israeli authorities publicly account for failures that allowed masked Israeli extremists to attack Palestinian olive harvesters, a photojournalist, and European diplomats in the West Bank on October 16-17. The attacks occurred despite prior government preparations and warnings. The editorial calls for investigations, arrests, and improved protection for the remaining harvest.

The Jerusalem Post editorial argues that Israeli authorities must publicly explain why preparations failed to prevent a series of attacks during the West Bank olive harvest. On Friday, October 16, masked Israeli extremists attacked Palestinian harvesters near Abu Falah, and Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was beaten and hospitalized with a severe hand injury. On Saturday, October 17, masked Israelis reportedly attacked a delegation of European diplomats and a French mayor near the Christian village of Taiba. The editorial notes that Defense Minister Israel Katz had ordered administrative removal orders against activists on October 8, and the IDF had prepared for unrest, indicating the government expected confrontation. The PMO condemned the violence against diplomats but questioned the evidence and singled out the French mayor's political background. President Isaac Herzog apologized to Levine. The editorial calls for investigations, arrests, and credible prosecutions, and demands officials account for failures and explain how they will protect the remaining harvest.