RAMALLAH, Palestine /PNN /

Israeli settlers attacked diplomatic vehicles belonging to European missions on Saturday afternoon as diplomats were leaving the Palestinian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, according to local sources.

The sources said a group of masked settlers carrying clubs attacked delegations from several European diplomatic missions. The attackers smashed the window of a vehicle belonging to the Belgian consulate and demanded that passengers and diplomats show their identification cards. Video footage appeared to show one of the consuls being knocked to the ground.

Local sources identified one of those attacked as Bernard Baudoux, mayor of the French city of Aulnoye-Aymeries, correcting earlier reports in Israeli media that a French consul had been targeted.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the attack on European diplomats in Taybeh, northeast of Ramallah, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

In a post on X, Prévot said Belgium would continue pressing for European Union sanctions against those involved in settler violence and those supporting them.

He said violence targeting diplomats was linked to Israel’s unlawful settlement policy, reiterating Belgium’s opposition to settlement expansion and efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land.

Prévot stressed that Israeli authorities, as the occupying power, were responsible for protecting Palestinians and ensuring the safety of diplomats and journalists, as well as bringing those responsible for attacks to justice.

He also called for an end to what he described as the impunity enjoyed by settlers involved in acts of violence.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh also condemned the attack, describing it as an assault by groups involved in settler terrorism against foreign diplomats in villages near Ramallah.

In a statement, al-Sheikh said the incident was a small-scale example of the daily violence faced by Palestinians and called for a firm international response to ensure international protection for the Palestinian people.