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Diplomats protest over West Bank clash with Israel troops | Diplomats protest over West Bank clash with Israel troops |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Diplomats from a number of European countries and the UN have reacted angrily after Israeli soldiers intervened to prevent them delivering aid to Bedouins in the West Bank. | Diplomats from a number of European countries and the UN have reacted angrily after Israeli soldiers intervened to prevent them delivering aid to Bedouins in the West Bank. |
One French diplomat said she was forced to the ground from her vehicle. | One French diplomat said she was forced to the ground from her vehicle. |
The aid was being delivered to Khirbet al-Makhul after homes there were demolished under a High Court order. | The aid was being delivered to Khirbet al-Makhul after homes there were demolished under a High Court order. |
An Israeli spokesman said it was reviewing whether the diplomats had abused their privileges. | An Israeli spokesman said it was reviewing whether the diplomats had abused their privileges. |
'Throwing stones' | 'Throwing stones' |
The homes in Khirbet al-Makhul were knocked down on Monday after Israel's High Court ruled that they had been built without the correct permits. | The homes in Khirbet al-Makhul were knocked down on Monday after Israel's High Court ruled that they had been built without the correct permits. |
BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly, in Jerusalem, says the Bedouin villagers of Khirbet al-Makhul have refused to leave the land where they say they have grazed sheep for generations. | BBC Middle East correspondent Kevin Connolly, in Jerusalem, says the Bedouin villagers of Khirbet al-Makhul have refused to leave the land where they say they have grazed sheep for generations. |
The diplomats said that as soon as they arrived, around a dozen Israeli army jeeps converged on them and ordered them not to unload their truck. | The diplomats said that as soon as they arrived, around a dozen Israeli army jeeps converged on them and ordered them not to unload their truck. |
French diplomat Marion Fesneau-Castaing told Reuters news agency: "They dragged me out of the truck and forced me to the ground with no regard for my diplomatic immunity. | French diplomat Marion Fesneau-Castaing told Reuters news agency: "They dragged me out of the truck and forced me to the ground with no regard for my diplomatic immunity. |
"This is how international law is being respected here." | "This is how international law is being respected here." |
One European official described the Israeli actions as "shocking and outrageous". | One European official described the Israeli actions as "shocking and outrageous". |
A spokesman for the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said it was "concerned at reports that the Israeli military authorities have prevented the affected community from receiving humanitarian assistance". | A spokesman for the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said it was "concerned at reports that the Israeli military authorities have prevented the affected community from receiving humanitarian assistance". |
The spokesman added: "We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our concerns over such demolitions, which we view as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; as harmful to the peace process; and as contrary to international humanitarian law." | The spokesman added: "We have repeatedly made clear to the Israeli authorities our concerns over such demolitions, which we view as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians; as harmful to the peace process; and as contrary to international humanitarian law." |
UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator James Rawley said the Israeli authorities should "live up to their obligations as occupying power to protect those communities under their responsibility". | UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator James Rawley said the Israeli authorities should "live up to their obligations as occupying power to protect those communities under their responsibility". |
The Haaretz news website quoted the Israel Defense Forces as saying that "dozens of Palestinians, foreign activists and diplomats" had tried to set up tents, which it called a "provocation". | The Haaretz news website quoted the Israel Defense Forces as saying that "dozens of Palestinians, foreign activists and diplomats" had tried to set up tents, which it called a "provocation". |
Stones were thrown at security forces and stun grenades were fired to disperse the crowd, the IDF was quoted as saying. | Stones were thrown at security forces and stun grenades were fired to disperse the crowd, the IDF was quoted as saying. |
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Paul Hirschson told Agence France-Presse that Israel might lodge a complaint over Ms Fesneau-Castaing. | Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Paul Hirschson told Agence France-Presse that Israel might lodge a complaint over Ms Fesneau-Castaing. |
"If she did participate then a formal complaint will be filed because that is not the way diplomats behave," he said. | "If she did participate then a formal complaint will be filed because that is not the way diplomats behave," he said. |
The first direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in three years were held in Jerusalem last month. | The first direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in three years were held in Jerusalem last month. |
The talks broke down in 2010 amid disagreement on the issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. | |
Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Middle East war - the talks are aimed at reaching a permanent peace settlement with the Palestinians. |