🔗 Share this article

The governments of Italy and Canada have expressed alarm about the treatment of their nationals who were assaulted and robbed by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territories under occupation.

Details of the Brutal Assault

A group comprising three Italians and one Canadian were attacked early on Sunday morning in the community of Ein al-Duyuk, near the city of Jericho. They had volunteered to help shield Palestinian residents from escalating violence by settlers.

“At 4.30am on 30 November, a group of ten masked settlers, two carrying army-issued rifles, burst into the home where we were resting after a night shift,” stated the Canadian volunteer.

Each of the four required hospital treatment and one, an male Italian volunteer, was still receiving care in Ramallah on Monday for more serious wounds.

Escalating Violence in Ein al-Duyuk

The frequency and severity of attacks in this area have risen dramatically over the past two months. This coincides with the creation of an unauthorized settler encampment nearby and the influx of new, confrontational settlers.

Local observers report that aggressive acts have become an routine event. These incidents have involved groups of settlers breaking into homes, beating villagers, and taking sheep, vehicles, and destroying solar panels.

Legal Status and Official Responses

Although all Israeli communities on occupied territory are illegal under international law, irregular outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. The village is located within Area A of the West Bank, a zone meant to be administered of the Palestinian governing body.

Canada's Department of Global Affairs stated it “strongly condemns the violent acts committed by extremist settlers and opposes any actions or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

The Italian foreign minister, Minister Tajani, told reporters: “We cannot tolerate of this hostility. This is not the way for anyone to assert their rights.”

Absence of Protection and Broader Context

Villagers and activists report there has been no meaningful police intervention to stop the attacks or dismantle the outpost. Senior figures of the current Israeli government are vocal backers of West Bank settlers.

According to UN figures that settlers and Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, including 233 children, in the West Bank over the last 24 months.

Voice of the Volunteers

The injured Canadian noted that, despite the attack, she felt the presence of volunteers in Ein al-Duyuk had been valuable.

“The residents felt more confident while we were present,” she said. “The children played freely. People slept through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile.”

A Palestinian activist working with groups that recruit foreign volunteers said the recent encampment has brought in ideologically driven settlers who seem to belong to an organised group.