Jerusalem – During a visit the officials made to the West Bank to investigate claims of damage to Palestinian agricultural property Israel police say Jewish settlers have attacked American consular officials.
Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the settlers on Friday threw rocks at the officials who were forced to return to their vehicle.
The incident nearly prompted US security personnel, who were armed with M-16 automatic rifles, to confront the assailants. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
The convoy was driving through southern Samaria when it came under a hail of stones.
“The settlers attacked the cars of the US Consulate in the town Turmus’ayya near the settlement of Adi Ad,” a local Palestinian, Zakaria Sadah,posted on his Facebook page.
The convoy included Palestinians who accompanied American diplomatic personnel on a trip through the northern West Bank.
The convoy did not coordinate its trip with Israeli military authorities, Israel Radio reported.
Rabbis for Human Rights, a left-wing NGO, denounced the Israeli authorities for failing to enforce the law against Jewish settlers in the territories.
“The lax law enforcement which has permitted settlers to attack Palestinians has also brought about a situation where diplomats are also assaulted,” the group said in a press release. “This is liable to lead to diplomatic tensions.”