Italy and Canada have raised concerns about the treatment of their nationals who were beaten and robbed by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Details of the Violent Incident
A group comprising three Italians and one Canadian were attacked early on Sunday morning in the community of Ein al-Duyuk, near Jericho. They had volunteered to help shield Palestinian residents from intensifying settler violence.
“At 4.30am on 30 November, a group of ten masked settlers, two carrying army-issued rifles, forced their way into the residence where we were sleeping after night-watch,” stated the Canadian volunteer.
All four were hospitalised and one, an male Italian volunteer, was continuing to undergo treatment in Ramallah on Monday for more serious wounds.
Rising Tensions in Ein al-Duyuk
The frequency and severity of attacks in Ein al-Duyuk have increased substantially over the past two months. This follows the creation of an unauthorized settler encampment nearby and the arrival of young and aggressive settlers.
Local observers report that violent incidents have become an almost daily occurrence. These incidents have involved groups of settlers breaking into homes, assaulting residents, and taking sheep, vehicles, and destroying solar panels.
Legal Status and Government Reactions
While all settlements on land seized in 1967 are illegal under international law, irregular outposts are also against Israeli domestic statutes. Ein al-Duyuk is in Area A of the West Bank, a zone meant to be administered of the Palestinian Authority.
Canada's Department of Global Affairs stated it “utterly rejects the violent acts committed by radical settlers and opposes any actions or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”
The Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, told reporters: “We cannot tolerate of this aggression. This is not the way for anyone to assert their rights.”
Lack of Intervention and Broader Context
Villagers and activists report there has been little effective action by security forces to stop the attacks or remove the illegal settlement. Leading members of the Israeli governing coalition actively support settlements in the territory.
According to UN figures that Israeli settlers and security forces have taken the lives of over a thousand Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, in the West Bank over the past two years.
Perspective from the Ground
The injured Canadian noted that, despite the attack, she felt the international presence in Ein al-Duyuk had been meaningful.
“The residents felt more confident while we were present,” she said. “Kids were able to play outside. Families could sleep soundly. That alone made our presence worthwhile.”
A Palestinian activist working with groups that recruit foreign volunteers said the new outpost has brought in ideologically driven settlers who appear to be part of a coordinated network.
