Israeli Settlers Attack European Diplomats and Beat French Mayor

Masked Israeli settlers attacked a group of European diplomats in the West Bank on Saturday and beat Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, as he symbolically joined the olive harvest in Taybeh. Baudoux said the attackers insulted him, kicked him and struck him with iron bars; he did not require hospital treatment. Israel condemned the attack and police pledged an investigation, while Benjamin Netanyahu alleged a smear campaign and rival Gadi Eisenkot accused the government of tolerating “Jewish terrorism.” The assault came a day after an American Washington Post photographer was beaten and amid rising violence targeting Palestinian olive harvests.