one of the common tools of israeli foreign policy in action; 

 

Israeli settlers attacked a European diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, assaulting a French mayor and damaging diplomatic vehicles as the visitors accompanied Palestinians during the olive harvest near Ramallah.

The assault took place in the Palestinian village of Taybeh, where representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland, including the French consul in occupied al-Quds, were visiting amid escalating settler violence targeting Palestinian farmers and their agricultural lands.

Among those assaulted was Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of the French municipality of Aulnoye-Aymeries, who was beaten by Israeli settlers, according to AFP, citing witnesses and diplomatic sources.

Footage obtained by the news agency showed Baudoux collapsed against a vehicle following the attack. Two diplomats and a local resident confirmed his identity, while one diplomatic source indicated that his injuries did not appear life-threatening.

According to Israeli Army Radio, approximately seven masked settlers arrived on all-terrain vehicles, surrounded the diplomatic convoy, and demanded identification documents from those inside.

The attackers, armed with clubs and stones, targeted the vehicles, smashing a window of a car belonging to the Belgian consulate.

Videos circulated following the assault showed masked settlers approaching the delegation with clubs, while additional footage documented damage to the diplomatic vehicles. ..........more............