Milan, Oct. 17 (LaPresse) – “We urge caution before drawing conclusions from today’s reports that European diplomats were allegedly attacked by masked Israelis” in the West Bank. “Any act of violence against diplomats is unacceptable,” but “the more serious the allegation, the greater the need for compelling evidence.” This is stated in a declaration released by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We call on the public and responsible journalists to demand verifiable evidence, reject rumours and refuse to turn unsubstantiated allegations into a collective indictment of Jewish residents” of the West Bank, the statement concludes. “Here is what we know,” reads Netanyahu’s statement, which lists four points, highlighting that the diplomatic group included a French mayor who had previously flown the Palestinian flag and arguing that the images that have circulated “are not sufficient on their own to establish” what happened and who was responsible. These are the points that Netanyahu’s office says are known: “- The diplomatic delegation entered a sensitive area, the scene of previous clashes, without prior coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as officially confirmed by military authorities. Such coordination is essential to protect visiting diplomats and prevent incidents of violence. – The visit included Bernard Baudoux, a mayor from the French Communist Party who had previously raised the Palestinian flag over his town hall, prompting French authorities to order its removal. – The footage released shows masked individuals clashing with a diplomatic vehicle. Other images show a shattered window and a person lying on the ground. These images alone are not sufficient to establish the full sequence of events or individual responsibility. These circumstances are still under investigation. – Israeli police and forensic investigators have launched an investigation to establish the facts and identify those responsible.” “These reports come amid concerns about a coordinated campaign to defame Israel and Jewish residents” of the West Bank during the annual olive harvest, based on sensationalist headlines before all the facts have emerged, Netanyahu said. He added: “Further allegations may emerge in the coming days. By the time the evidence has been thoroughly examined, the reputational damage caused by
Middle East, Netanyahu: “Caution over attack on diplomats, verifiable evidence needed”
Milan, Oct. 17 (LaPresse) – “We urge caution before drawing conclusions from today’s reports that European diplomats were allegedly attacked by masked Israelis” in the West Bank. “Any act of violence against diplomats is unacceptable,” but “the more serious the allegation, the greater the need for compelling evidence.” This is stated in a declaration released by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We call on the public and responsible journalists to demand verifiable evidence, reject rumours and refuse to turn unsubstantiated allegations into a collective indictment of Jewish residents” of the West Bank, the statement concludes. “Here is what we know,” reads Netanyahu’s statement, which lists four points, highlighting that the diplomatic group included a French mayor who had previously flown the Palestinian flag and arguing that the images that have circulated “are not sufficient on their own to establish” what happened and who was responsible. These are the points that Netanyahu’s office says are known: “- The diplomatic delegation entered a sensitive area, the scene of previous clashes, without prior coordination with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as officially confirmed by military authorities. Such coordination is essential to protect visiting diplomats and prevent incidents of violence. – The visit included Bernard Baudoux, a mayor from the French Communist Party who had previously raised the Palestinian flag over his town hall, prompting French authorities to order its removal. – The footage released shows masked individuals clashing with a diplomatic vehicle. Other images show a shattered window and a person lying on the ground. These images alone are not sufficient to establish the full sequence of events or individual responsibility. These circumstances are still under investigation. – Israeli police and forensic investigators have launched an investigation to establish the facts and identify those responsible.” “These reports come amid concerns about a coordinated campaign to defame Israel and Jewish residents” of the West Bank during the annual olive harvest, based on sensationalist headlines before all the facts have emerged, Netanyahu said. He added: “Further allegations may emerge in the coming days. By the time the evidence has been thoroughly examined, the reputational damage caused by