'We were attacked': European diplomat rejects Netanyahu's doubts over West Bank attack
- Diplomat challenges criticism about lack of coordination with Israeli military, citing Israel’s security responsibility in Area B
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- Diplomat challenges criticism about lack of coordination with Israeli military, citing Israel’s security responsibility in Area B
By Said Amori and Tarek Chouiref
JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL (AA) - A European diplomat, who was part of a delegation attacked by Israeli occupiers in the occupied West Bank, rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's doubts about the incident on Saturday.
"The facts are clear. We were attacked," Israeli public broadcaster KAN quoted the unnamed diplomat as saying.
The diplomat challenged Netanyahu's criticism of the delegation for failing to coordinate its visit with the Israeli army, noting that Israel retains security responsibility in Area B of the occupied West Bank.
The diplomat also questioned why diplomats and people harvesting olives should face attacks.
The remarks came in response to a statement from Netanyahu's office urging caution over reports that masked Israelis had attacked European diplomats near Ramallah.
"Serious accusations require serious evidence," the statement said.
Netanyahu's office acknowledged that footage showed masked individuals confronting a diplomatic vehicle but claimed the images did not establish the full sequence of events or individual responsibility.
The Israeli army said it had launched a joint investigation with police into the incident.
The attack occurred near the town of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, where a delegation was visiting during the olive harvest season.
The delegation included the French and Belgian consuls, a Polish representative and Catholic Church officials.
Masked Israeli occupiers confronted members of the delegation, and a Belgian consular vehicle had its window smashed.
Israeli army radio reported that troops and police arrived at the scene three hours after receiving the delegation's location and footage of the incident, which had been sent within minutes.
Separately, opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman accused Netanyahu and his defense and national security ministers of failing to curb attacks by Israeli occupiers.
Lieberman warned that their inaction was eroding international support for Israel.
Attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their property have intensified during the olive harvest season, which began earlier this month.