BRUSSELS, October 18, 2026 (WAFA) — A European diplomat who was attacked by Israeli colonists near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Saturday rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s questioning of the circumstances surrounding the incident, saying the facts were clear and the delegation had indeed come under attack.

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan quoted an unnamed European diplomat as saying, “The facts are clear. We were attacked.”

“They ask us why we did not coordinate our arrival, but the State of Israel is responsible for security in Area B,” the diplomat added.

“It is not our fault that this happened. Why should people be attacked in the area? Why should diplomats be attacked? And why should people be unable to pick olives without being attacked?” the diplomat asked.

The remarks came in response to a statement issued in English by Netanyahu, who cast doubt on reports that Israeli colonists had attacked European diplomats and demanded “strong evidence” to substantiate the reports, despite the Israeli military’s condemnation of the incident and the opening of an investigation.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that “serious allegations require strong evidence.”

The incident drew criticism within Israel. Opposition Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot accused Netanyahu’s government of sponsoring what he described as “Jewish terrorism” in the occupied West Bank.

Eisenkot warned that colonist attacks on foreigners constituted an “unprecedented political and security attack” that undermined Israel’s international standing and national security.

M.N