America News Agency

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said he condemned in the strongest terms an attack carried out by masked settlers against Palestinians, Belgian consuls general, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives in the Taybeh area of the occupied West Bank. Prevot reported that a French mayor had been assaulted and a Belgian vehicle damaged, while confirming that his team members were safe.

Emphasizing that Palestinians face similar acts of violence every day, Prevot stated that journalists covering these incidents and individuals carrying out their diplomatic duties are also being targeted by settlers. He stressed that harvesting olives, reporting the news or performing diplomatic duties should not put anyone at risk of attack.

Prevot stated that Israeli authorities, as the occupying power, must protect Palestinians, ensure the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. He called for an end to impunity for violent settlers.

Prevot said Belgium would continue to push for EU sanctions against those responsible for the violence and their supporters, adding that the attacks could not be viewed separately from Israel's illegal settlement policies. He condemned the expansion of settlements and attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land, emphasizing that the occupation of Palestinian territories must end.