Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Harvesters and European Diplomats in West Bank, Belgium Says

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters and European diplomats in the occupied West Bank on Oct. 17, 2026, in an incident Belgium says involved Palestinians and Western diplomats. Belgium condemned the attack on the diplomats. Reuters

Witnesses said a convoy of European diplomatic vehicles came under attack and a visiting French mayor was beaten during the violence. Le Monde The diplomats had joined Palestinian residents for the olive harvest when settlers attacked, according to reports on the incident. The New York Times

The attack on the diplomats followed violence during the harvest on Oct. 16. That Friday, dozens of masked settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in the village of Abu Falah. Reuters The attackers were clad in black with their faces masked.

Near Turmus Ayya, settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives, burned olive trees and injured a journalist. Reuters

Attacks were reported in several West Bank villages around the harvest. Three Palestinians were injured while picking olives in the same village a day before the attack involving diplomats. Times of Israel Five Palestinians were wounded in Burqa and Beit Ummar in reported settler attacks. Haaretz

Israel's Prime Minister's Office urged caution in concluding reports that Israeli settlers attacked European diplomats. Haaretz

Most olive trees are located in Area C of the West Bank, where Palestinian farmers face frequent attacks by Israeli settlers, according to the European Union's diplomatic service.