A group of international volunteers, including Italian and Canadian citizens, were violently assaulted and robbed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, 1st December 2024, marks a severe escalation in attacks against civilians assisting Palestinian farmers.
Violent Assault During Peaceful Mission
The volunteers were participating in the annual olive harvest near the Palestinian village of Burin, south of Nablus. Their mission was to accompany and protect local farmers, a practice made necessary by frequent intimidation from nearby settlers. According to reports, the group of six volunteers was suddenly surrounded by approximately 15 armed Israeli settlers.
The assailants, some masked and armed with rifles, pistols, and metal bars, launched a brutal attack. They beat the volunteers with batons and the butts of their rifles. The attackers then proceeded to rob the victims, stealing personal belongings including mobile phones, cameras, wallets, and passports. The entire violent episode lasted for a terrifying 20 minutes before the settlers withdrew.
International Victims and Inadequate Response
The assaulted volunteers hailed from Italy, Canada, and other nations. One of the victims, an Italian man, suffered a head injury requiring medical attention. A Canadian volunteer had her phone stolen while attempting to document the attack. Disturbingly, Israeli soldiers were present at the scene but reportedly failed to intervene to stop the assault. The volunteers stated that the soldiers only arrived after the settlers had left and then proceeded to question the victims rather than pursue the perpetrators.
This incident is not isolated. It follows a pattern of increasing settler violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season, which is a crucial economic period for Palestinian communities. Human rights groups have repeatedly condemned the lack of protection offered by Israeli authorities and the climate of impunity for such attacks.
Broader Context of Escalating Tensions
The attack occurs amidst a significant surge in violence across the West Bank. The United Nations has recorded over 1,000 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians this year alone, resulting in casualties and widespread property damage. These actions are often aimed at displacing Palestinian communities from their land.
International accompaniment programmes, like the one these volunteers were part of, have become a vital, if dangerous, form of protective presence. Their goal is to deter violence through witness, but this latest attack demonstrates the severe risks involved. The failure of security forces to prevent or stop such assaults raises serious questions about accountability and the protection of civilians in the occupied territory.
The governments of Italy and Canada are expected to be briefed on the incident, potentially leading to diplomatic inquiries. The event underscores the urgent need for international attention and action to address the escalating crisis and protect both Palestinian civilians and international observers.
