EU raps Israel’s mistreatment of diplomats

The European Union has lambasted Israeli forces for confronting a group of European diplomats in the occupied West Bank.

On Saturday, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton and EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva issued a statement, telling the Israeli regime to explain why its troops confiscated humanitarian aid from a group of aid workers accompanied by a number of European diplomats near the village of Khirbet al-Makhul on Friday.

“EU representatives have already contacted the Israeli authorities to demand an explanation and expressed their concern at the incident,” the statement read.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers manhandled the diplomats and seized a truck loaded with tents and emergency aid, which they were trying to deliver to Bedouins in the village.

They threw sound grenades at the diplomats, who were being accompanied by some aid workers and local people.

They also yanked a female French diplomat called Marion Castaing out of the truck before they drove it away.

“They dragged me out of the truck and forced me to the ground with no regard for my diplomatic immunity,” said the French diplomat, adding, “This is how international law is being respected here.”

After the incident, the Israeli military said its soldiers had tried to stop tents from being erected in area.

“At the site, Palestinians and the foreign activists violently objected, throwing stones and striking law enforcement officers,” an Israeli military spokeswoman said.

However, Reuters™ reporters present at the scene said they saw no stone throwing.

On Monday, the houses in the village were demolished under an order by an Israeli court, which said they were made without the correct permits.

NT/NN/AS