Settlers attack European diplomats in the West Bank and assault a French mayor

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On Saturday, Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats while they were touring the occupied West Bank, and beat a French mayor who was visiting the area, an eyewitness and two diplomats reported to Agence France-Presse.

Footage shared by a diplomat showed the mayor of Aulnois-Imery in northern France, Bernard Boudeau (78 years old), lying on the ground, leaning against a car.

Two diplomats and a resident confirmed his identity to Agence France-Presse, while one of the diplomats said that his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

An American photojournalist working for the Washington Post newspaper was attacked by Israeli settlers on Friday while covering ongoing violence targeting Palestinian olive farmers in the occupied West Bank.

Photojournalist Heidi Levin was transferred to a hospital in Ramallah following the attack, while photos taken by Agence France-Presse showed that she was lying on a stretcher and appeared to have injuries to her leg and hand.

For its part, the United States on Friday condemned "criminal violence" in the occupied West Bank, without directly referring to the incident of Israeli settlers attacking an American photojournalist.

A State Department official, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We condemn the criminal acts of violence committed by any party in the West Bank, and we support conducting appropriate investigations and prosecuting those responsible,” adding that the United States is ready to provide “consular support” to the journalist who works for the Washington Post.

This incident comes ten days after Agence France-Presse photographer Jaafar Shtayyeh was beaten by settlers while covering the olive harvest season in the West Bank, which also required his transfer to the hospital to receive treatment.

In recent months, the West Bank has witnessed an escalation in violence, with almost daily attacks, theft or vandalism carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, or the seizure of olive groves.

Excluding East Jerusalem, about three million Palestinians live in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, along with more than 500,000 Israelis residing in settlements considered illegal under international law.