Israeli Settlers Attack Foreign Volunteers Helping Palestinian Farmers in West Bank
A group of foreign volunteers who were assisting Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank were attacked on Sunday by Israeli settlers, leaving several of them injured and requiring hospital treatment.
The attack occurred in the village of Kafr ad-Dik, near the city of Salfit, where the volunteers had been working alongside Palestinian farmers to harvest crops and support local agricultural efforts. According to eyewitnesses, a group of Israeli settlers arrived at the scene, armed with rocks and clubs, and began attacking the volunteers and farmers.
The victims included citizens from several countries, including the United States, Europe, and Australia. Some were struck on the head and body, while others were treated for minor injuries.
"It was a terrifying experience," said Sarah Johnson, a 28-year-old American volunteer who was among those attacked. "We were just trying to help the farmers and suddenly we were surrounded by these violent settlers who were throwing rocks and shouting at us to leave. It was like something out of a nightmare."
The attack is the latest in a series of incidents in which Israeli settlers have targeted foreign volunteers who are working to support Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. The settlers have repeatedly claimed that the volunteers are "agitators" and "terrorists" who are trying to undermine Israeli authority and disrupt the status quo.
However, the foreign volunteers and Palestinian farmers involved in the project deny these claims and say that their work is focused on supporting peaceful coexistence and promoting economic development in the region.
"This is a shameful act of violence and intimidation," said Omar al-Khader, a Palestinian farmer who was among those attacked. "We welcome international volunteers who come to our villages to help us build a better future for ourselves and our children. We will not be deterred by the actions of these extremist settlers."
The Israeli military has been criticized for its failure to protect Palestinian farmers and foreign volunteers from attacks by Israeli settlers. In recent months, there have been several incidents in which Israeli soldiers have stood by and watched as settlers have attacked Palestinians and foreign nationals.
The attack on Sunday’s has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and international organizations, who have called on the Israeli government to take immediate action to protect Palestinians and foreign nationals from violence.
"This attack is a stark reminder of the violence and intimidation that Palestinians and foreign nationals face on a daily basis in the occupied West Bank," said John Aldrich, a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. "The Israeli government must take immediate action to protect these individuals and prevent further attacks."
The incident has also renewed calls for international pressure on Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank and respect the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and sovereignty.
"The occupation is the root cause of all this violence and aggression," said Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official. "Israel must end its occupation and allow Palestinians to govern themselves in peace and dignity."