The governments of Italy and Canada have issued strong condemnations after their citizens were violently assaulted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The incident, which left four foreign volunteers hospitalised, underscores a dramatic escalation of violence in the area linked to a new, unauthorised settler outpost.
A Coordinated Night-Time Assault
In the early hours of Sunday, 30 November, a group of ten masked settlers, two of whom were armed with army-issued rifles, forced their way into a home in the village of Ein al-Duyuk, near Jericho. Inside were three Italian and one Canadian volunteer, who were part of an initiative to help protect Palestinian residents from intensifying settler attacks.
The assailants beat the four individuals for approximately 15 minutes. In a written account, the Canadian volunteer, who wished to remain anonymous for safety, described being repeatedly kicked in the head, ribs, hips, and thighs. The settlers shouted insults in Arabic, told the group they had no right to be there, and proceeded to ransack the property, destroying solar batteries and smashing the interior before leaving.
A Pattern of Escalating Violence
Local activists report that the pace and severity of attacks in Ein al-Duyuk have increased substantially over the past two months. This surge coincides directly with the establishment of a new, aggressive settler outpost nearby. Violent incidents, including mobs breaking into homes, beatings, theft of livestock and vehicles, and destruction of property, have become an almost daily occurrence.
Manal Tamimi of the organisation Faz3a, which recruits international volunteers, stated that the new outpost has brought in far-right settlers who appear to belong to an organised group. "They attacked the volunteers in a really organised way," she said.
Ein al-Duyuk lies within Area A of the West Bank, which is officially under Palestinian Authority administration and where Israeli citizens are prohibited from entering. While all settlements on occupied land are illegal under international law, these irregular outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. Villagers and activists say there has been no meaningful police intervention to stop the attacks or dismantle the outpost.
International Condemnation and Local Resilience
The Canadian foreign ministry "strongly condemns the violent acts committed by extremist settlers" and opposes annexation of Palestinian territories. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters, "We have had enough of this aggression. This is not the way [for the settlers] to assert their rights."
Despite her injuries, the Canadian volunteer emphasised the value of the international presence. "The villagers stood taller while we were present," she said. "The children played freely. People slept through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile." She added that the attack on her group was minor compared to the constant, severe violence endured by Palestinians.
The attack occurs against a backdrop of extreme violence in the West Bank. According to UN figures, Israeli settlers and security forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, including 233 children, over the past two years—a campaign many observers believe aims to seize territory.
