Settler violence in the West Bank targets foreign solidarity activists
Four foreign activists were injured in an attack carried out by settlers in the West Bank, amid a growing surge in settler violations.
According to one member of the group, three Italians and a Canadian were assaulted by settlers in the West Bank and received treatment on Sunday at Jericho Hospital, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa described the injured individuals as “foreign solidarity activists.”
In Rome, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué that “three Italian international volunteers were assaulted last night by Israeli settlers,” adding that they “remain in shock after the incident.”
Dr. Riyad Eid, director of Jericho Hospital, said: “Four foreigners arrived this morning after being beaten by settlers, according to their account.”
He added: “They had bruises on their faces and chests, and one of them was struck in a sensitive area.”
Eid explained that “a full medical assessment was performed, including X-rays and ultrasounds; they received the necessary treatment and were discharged.”
More than 500,000 Israelis currently live in settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, alongside nearly three million Palestinians.
Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, following the Hamas attack in southern Israel.
According to the United Nations, last October recorded the highest level of settler violence since documentation began in 2006, with 264 attacks resulting in casualties or property damage.
One of the four injured activists, showing visible bruises, said the group consisted of three Italians and one Canadian living in the Ain al-Duyuk area west of Jericho in the central West Bank.
He added: “We were sleeping at night when ten masked settlers arrived. Two of them were carrying firearms, and some were holding clubs.”
“They kicked me several times in the face, the ribs, and the foot,” he said.
He explained: “It lasted between ten and fifteen minutes. Then they took all our belongings. They stole my passport, my phone, my wallet, and my bank cards before leaving.”
“We had to undergo X-rays and take painkillers. Our friend was beaten more severely than we were,” he added.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that “the settlers entered their residence, assaulted the volunteers, and stole all their personal belongings.”
The ministry confirmed that Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani “is following the case” and remains in close contact with the Italian Consul General in Jerusalem.
