Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday and assaulted French mayor, Bernard Baudoux. This incident took place a day after an attack on an American photographer for the Washington Post and reflects the increasing violence ahead of a controversial election in Israel.
International and Domestic Reactions
Bernard Baudoux, the mayor of the town of Allonne-Imers in northern France, stated after the attack: "If Israeli settlers behave this way, it reflects the tolerance of the Israeli government." He added: "The world must know what is happening." Baudoux, who was wearing the French national insignia at the time of the attack, fell to the ground but did not require hospital treatment.
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot issued a statement calling on Israel to "immediately stop the criminal violence" and to arrest those responsible for the attack. Belgian officials also expressed similar reactions.
Rising Tensions in the Region
This attack occurred just a day after Israeli settlers assaulted an American photographer, causing him severe injuries. Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, instead of condemning these attacks, claimed that diplomats should coordinate their movements with the Israeli army and referred to Baudoux's political history, which is known for supporting the Palestinian cause.
Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main rival in the elections, harshly criticized him, stating that this violence "burns the little legitimacy left of the Israeli government." He described the attacks as "Jewish terrorism supported by the Israeli government."
Mayor Baudoux had traveled with a local priest from France to the city of Taybeh to sign a goodwill agreement. However, prior to the attack on him, Israeli settlers had attacked olive harvesters in the area and threatened Palestinian farmers.
This violence has sparked international reactions, with Britain leading economic sanctions against Israel. Netanyahu also attempted to question the circumstances of the attack on the photographer, attributing it to "leftist" activists. Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog, as a symbolic figure, contacted the photographer and described the attack as "outrageous and shocking."
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