French Diplomat Attacked in Jerusalem Amid Settler Violence

French mayor Bernard Baudoux reported being assaulted by masked settlers during a meeting with Palestinian olive farmers and international representatives in Jerusalem. The mayor stated that settlers shouted insults against France, kicked him, and struck him with iron bars while he accompanied Palestinian farmers alongside senior French and Belgian officials and Polish diplomats.

Baudoux, wearing a French tricolour sash, collapsed after the attack but required no hospital treatment. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Belgium’s counterpart demanded Israel immediately stop criminal violence and arrest those responsible for the assault.

The incident occurred following an attack on a U.S. journalist in the West Bank, where settlers injured the photographer with broken vertebrae. Israeli authorities condemned the assault on diplomats but Prime Minister Netanyahu accused the incident of being part of a smear campaign targeting settlers ahead of the October 27 election.