Despite images from scene of attack and IDF condemnation, PM suggests incident could be part of 'coordinated smear campaign'; Belgium to push for EU sanctions on those involved

French mayor and archbishop also attacked during violent attempt to stop Palestinians harvesting olives

Israeli settler militants have attacked European diplomats, a French mayor and the archbishop of Cambrai in Taybeh, in the occupied West Bank, injuring three people and damaging a car, in the latest violent attempt to prevent Palestinians from harvesting olives on their own land.

Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, was wearing his red, white and blue sash of office and attempting to enter a vehicle with diplomatic plates when he was assaulted and knocked to the ground on Saturday.

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© Photograph: Amit Orfali/Reuters

© Photograph: Amit Orfali/Reuters

© Photograph: Amit Orfali/Reuters

Belgian foreign minister urges further EU sanctions and links attack to Israel’s ‘illegal settlement policy’

Masked settlers attacked a group of European diplomats during a visit to the occupied West Bank on Saturday, Belgium’s foreign minister said, on a second day of high-profile assaults on Palestinians and others during the sensitive olive harvest.

At least four people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Activists say Israeli authorities do little to stop attacks that involve weapons ranging from slingshots to guns. An attack on Friday seriously injured a Washington Post photographer and others.

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© Photograph: Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Getty Images

© Photograph: Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Getty Images

© Photograph: Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Getty Images

From her hospital bed, Heidi Levine says PM's suggestion that settlers were trying to help her up is 'such a lie and the biggest insult'; Huckabee decries 'despicable act of terror'

In Saturday's attack in the village of Taybeh, settlers targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said.

With Israeli rabbi's blessing, settlers are stealing Palestinians' olive harvest; with IDF support, settlers are beating both Palestinians and int'l visitors. That's not all.

Images show diplomat on the ground, damage to vehicle; IDF condemns 'severe' attack, says diplomatic delegation didn't coordinate Taybeh visit as police launch probe; settlers said to kill around 20 sheep in Palestinian village

Dov Lior rules that eating the olives 'fulfills the commandment to conquer the land'; moderate rabbinic group slams decision, says 'theft is forbidden from anyone, Jew or non-Jew'

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to cars and trees and beating residents and a Washington Post photographer, in the latest violence to disrupt the territory's annual olive harvest this month.

MEMO | October 16, 2026

A prominent Israeli rabbi on Friday issued a religious ruling permitting Israeli occupiers to take olives from Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, claiming that harvesting the crop “demonstrates Jewish ownership of the land,” Anadolu reports.

The ruling was issued by Rabbi Dov Lior, one of the most prominent religious authorities among Israeli occupiers in the West Bank, and was published by Israeli Channel 13.

It comes amid escalating occupier violence against Palestinians and their property, particularly farmers during the olive harvest season.

Lior claimed that Palestinians do not own their land, arguing that they had not purchased it from the “people of Israel” or from any Jewish person and describing the land as “stolen property.”

Citing Jewish religious law, he claimed that ownership of land cannot be transferred through theft and that Palestinian land therefore remains the property of the “people of Israel.”

He also argued that Palestinians planting olive trees on their land does not give them ownership rights over either the land or its produce.

Lior claimed Palestinians had already received sufficient compensation for planting the trees by consuming their fruit over previous years, and said both the land and harvest should return to what he called their “rightful owners.”

His ruling was not limited to land near illegal settlements, however, and also permitted occupiers to take olive crops from Palestinian areas farther away.

The ruling comes as attacks on Palestinian farmers during the West Bank olive harvest season have intensified, including assaults, preventing farmers from reaching their land, damaging trees and stealing crops.

Such attacks recur during the olive harvest, which peaks in October each year, while this month has seen an increase in attacks by occupiers against Palestinians and their property.

Palestinian, Israeli and international rights organizations have accused Israeli authorities of failing to stop occupier violence or hold perpetrators accountable despite attacks targeting Palestinians, their homes, farmland, vehicles and other property.

Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land are considered illegal under international law, while Palestinians maintain their rights to their land and reject attempts to seize it.

At least 350 children remain in custody at this time, where they face harsh conditions, including torture, food deprivation, isolation, and denial of medical care.

The settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives and beat Heidi Levine, a veteran photojournalist. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers did nothing to halt the violence.

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Violence against Palestinians and the press has been on going problem in Israel in general for years, but the level of such incidents in the occupied West Bank has reached a fevered pitch in recent months, with Israeli settlers attacking people with virtual impunity. The latest attack saw Washington Post veteran photojournalist Heidi Levine among […]

Every day, Israel invents some new way to ruin Palestinians' lives (with our tax $). Catch up on the latest news and headlines – with critical context – here.

Settlers hurl rocks at Palestinians and beat photographer Heidi Levine as part of yearly attacks to disrupt harvest

Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinians across the occupied West Bank in a coordinated movement to disrupt the annual olive harvest, burning cars and trees and injuring Palestinians and a Washington Post photographer.

Masked settlers wielding clubs and other weapons attacked people attempting to harvest their olives in West Bank towns on Friday. Palestinian authorities said they recorded attacks in eight villages, and injuries among at least 20 people.

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© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

© Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

Heidi Levine says she was saved by flak jacket, helmet in Abu Falah attack, as US embassy and Washington Post slam incident; olive trees and vehicles set on fire near Turmus Ayya; 70-year-old attacked near Birzeit

Civilian lightly hurt in hit-and-run near settlement, IDF says it isn't terror and came after settlers blocked Palestinian cars; separately, settlers said to burn a Palestinian car

The Israeli military typically responds to accusations of harm by stating an incident is being "investigated". A BBC investigation belies this claim.

“No Palestinians in the West Bank are exempt from this threat, including Christian communities and institutions,” said Bishop Dr Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

Netanyahu thwarts Board of Peace paltry effort to move forward in Gaza ■ Israeli settlers stoop to new low ■ Palestinian kids detained by the thousands ■ Kamala Harris said what now? ■ More.