Italy and Canada have expressed strong concerns over the violent assault on their citizens by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Three Italians and a Canadian were attacked early on Sunday, 30 November, in the village of Ein al-Duyuk, near Jericho, where they had volunteered to protect Palestinians from increasing settler violence.
The group was beaten and robbed by a group of ten masked settlers, some of whom were armed with army-issued rifles. The Canadian volunteer, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, provided a harrowing account of the incident:
“At 4:30 AM, 10 masked settlers burst into the house where we were sleeping after our night watch. They beat us for about 15 minutes. I was repeatedly kicked in the head, ribs, hips, and thighs. They shouted insults in Arabic and told us we had no right to be there. They also destroyed the solar batteries before leaving.”
All four volunteers were hospitalized, with one Italian man still receiving treatment in Ramallah for severe injuries. The Canadian volunteer reflected on the violence, stating: "This is not about us. We were beaten for 15 minutes. Palestinians here endure this violence every day, a thousand-fold."
The attacks in Ein al-Duyuk have intensified in recent months, particularly after the establishment of a new settler outpost in the area, which has attracted aggressive settlers. Activists report that violent incidents, including home invasions, beatings, and theft, have become almost daily occurrences. Settlers have also been responsible for stealing livestock and vehicles, and destroying solar panels.
Ein al-Duyuk, located in Area A of the West Bank, is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, making Israeli entry illegal. However, Israel continues to support settlements in the occupied territories, despite their violation of international law.
The Canadian government condemned the attack, calling it an act of extremism and reiterating its opposition to any actions or rhetoric aimed at annexing Palestinian territories. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also expressed outrage, stating: “We have had enough of this aggression. This is not the way for settlers to assert their rights.”
Villagers and activists report that there has been no significant intervention from Israeli authorities to stop the attacks or dismantle the outpost. The Israeli government, including key figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, has long supported the expansion of settlements in the West Bank, further escalating tensions.
According to UN figures, over 1,000 Palestinians, including 233 children, have been killed by Israeli settlers and security forces in the West Bank in the past two years. Many observers believe this violence is part of a coordinated effort to seize Palestinian land.
Manal Tamimi, a Palestinian activist with the group Faz3a, which coordinates foreign volunteers to protect Palestinian villages, said that the new settlers in Ein al-Duyuk are highly organized and far more violent than those in the past. “They brought in far-right settlers, who seem to be part of an organized group. The attack on the volunteers was very systematic,” Tamimi said.
Despite the trauma of the attack, the Canadian volunteer emphasized the importance of their work in the community. "The villagers stood taller while we were present. The children played freely, and people were able to sleep through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile."
As settler violence continues to escalate in the West Bank, the international community is urged to take action to protect both Palestinian and foreign volunteers from further harm.
Source: The Guardian
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