Tirs sionistes sur une délégation diplomatique en Cisjordanie occupée: fermes condamnations européennes
European Condemnation of Israeli Gunfire on Diplomatic Delegation in Occupied West Bank
On Wednesday, gunfire from Israeli forces directed towards a diplomatic delegation in the occupied West Bank resulted in widespread condemnation from European officials, who labeled the incident as "unacceptable."
European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that any threat to the lives of diplomats is intolerable and urged Israeli authorities to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot also demanded convincing explanations from Israeli officials, as approximately twenty diplomats were targeted in this assault, including one Belgian national. Fortunately, Prévot confirmed that the Belgian diplomat was unharmed.
The diplomatic group was on an official visit to Jenin, an arrangement that had been coordinated with Israeli forces, and was traveling in a clearly marked convoy of around twenty vehicles. Prévot expressed concerns regarding the reckless nature of the attacks.
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it is investigating the event, confirming that an additional Spanish diplomat was part of the group but was unharmed. The Spanish government mentioned it is also in contact with other affected nations to formulate a joint response to this serious incident.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the attack as "unacceptable" and called for immediate clarification from Israeli authorities regarding the event. Similarly, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris expressed his shock and condemnation of the gunfire aimed at the delegation, which included two Irish diplomats stationed in Ramallah. He denounced the incident as entirely unacceptable.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry also demanded that Israeli officials elucidate the circumstances surrounding the incident and insisted on the need to respect diplomatic inviolability. Reports indicated that Israeli soldiers present in Jenin opened fire with live ammunition directly aimed at the diplomatic mission while they sought to assess the conditions faced by residents of the refugee camp under military siege.
According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, as the delegation approached a gate established by Israeli forces at the entrance to the camp, live ammunition was intensively fired towards them and a group of journalists covering the visit.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as a serious violation of international law, expressing its strong disapproval of the "odious crime" perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces.
The incident has sparked a diplomatic crisis, with European leaders rallying together to condemn the attacks and demand accountability. Multiple nations are coordinating their responses, indicating the gravity of the situation and the international concern regarding diplomatic safety in conflict zones.
The overarching message from European officials is clear: there is a pressing need for accountability and respect for international standards regarding diplomatic missions, especially in volatile regions like the West Bank. The response from various governments underscores a united front against aggression towards diplomats and a call for peaceful resolution and protection of international workers in conflict areas.
