🔗 Share this article

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

Particulars Surrounding the Violent Incident

Three Italians and a Canadian were attacked early on Sunday morning in the community of Ein al-Duyuk, near the city of Jericho. They had volunteered to help protect the Palestinian population from escalating violence by settlers.

“At 4.30am on 30 November, 10 masked settlers, two carrying army-issued rifles, forced their way into the residence where we were sleeping after night-watch,” said the Canadian national.

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

Rising Tensions in Ein al-Duyuk

The pace and intensity of attacks in Ein al-Duyuk have risen dramatically over the past two months. This follows the establishment of a settler outpost nearby and the arrival of young and aggressive settlers.

Activists say that violent incidents have become an routine event. Attacks have included settler mobs breaking into homes, assaulting residents, and taking sheep, vehicles, and destroying solar panels.

International Law and Government Reactions

Although all Israeli communities on land seized in 1967 are considered unlawful by the international community, irregular outposts are also against Israeli domestic statutes. Ein al-Duyuk is in Area A of the West Bank, a zone theoretically under the control of the Palestinian governing body.

The Canadian foreign ministry stated it “utterly rejects the acts of violence committed by extremist settlers and is against any measures or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

Italy's top diplomat, Antonio Tajani, told reporters: “We have had enough of this aggression. 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 halt the assaults or remove the illegal settlement. Leading members of the Israeli governing coalition are vocal backers of settlements in the territory.

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 past two years.

Perspective from the Ground

The Canadian volunteer added that, notwithstanding the violence, she felt the international presence in Ein al-Duyuk had been meaningful.

“The villagers stood taller while we were present,” she said. “The children played freely. Families could sleep soundly. Just that made our presence worthwhile.”

A local organizer involved with groups that bring in international observers said the new outpost has brought in ideologically driven settlers who seem to belong to an organised group.