France Demands Israel Prosecute Settlers Who Assaulted French Mayor
· World · The Hindu, France 24
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has demanded that Israel take legal action against extremist settlers who violently assaulted the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, Bernard Baudoux, in the West Bank. The 78-year-old mayor reported being kicked and struck with iron bars by masked settlers while he was visiting Palestinian olive farmers alongside European diplomats on October 17, 2026. Baudoux stated that the attack occurred in the presence of representatives from France, Belgium, and Poland. The French minister condemned the violence as revolting and stated that Israel is obligated under international law to ensure the safety of civilian populations. Baudoux suggested that the incident reflects a level of tolerance for settler violence by the Israeli government.
Why it matters
The assault on a high-ranking European official and accompanying diplomats marks a significant escalation in tensions within the West Bank, potentially straining diplomatic relations between France and Israel.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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