Netanyahu implicitly defends settlers' terrorist attack on diplomats in Taybeh village, Ramallah

Netanyahu's office issued a statement implicitly defending settlers who attacked a Western diplomatic delegation in the village of Taybeh near Ramallah, questioning the diplomats' account and accusing them of failing to coordinate with the military and entering a sensitive area. The delegation was attacked with clubs and stones, and a 78-year-old French mayor was kicked.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement late Saturday evening implicitly defending settlers who attacked a delegation of Western diplomats in the village of Taybeh near Ramallah. The delegation, which included diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland, was visiting the village to observe the olive harvest season, which has been subject to settler attacks. The delegation was attacked by masked settlers wielding clubs and stones, who kicked a 78-year-old French mayor, a member of the French Communist Party. The diplomats described the attack as terrifying and absurd. In response, Netanyahu's statement questioned the diplomats' account, called for caution before drawing conclusions, and accused the delegation of failing to coordinate in advance with the Israeli military and entering a sensitive area. The statement also noted that the French mayor had previously raised the Palestinian flag over the municipal building. Condemnations came from European countries, the United States, and Palestinian leaders, while the Israeli president and foreign ministry issued timid statements.