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Italy and Canada have raised concerns about the treatment of their nationals who were assaulted and robbed by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territories under occupation.

Details of the Violent Incident

Three Italians and a Canadian were assaulted in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday in the community of Ein al-Duyuk, near the city of Jericho. They had volunteered to help protect the Palestinian population from intensifying settler violence.

“At 4.30am on 30 November, a group of ten masked settlers, some armed with military-style rifles, forced their way into the residence where we were sleeping after night-watch,” stated the Canadian volunteer.

All four were hospitalised and one, an male Italian volunteer, was continuing to undergo treatment in Ramallah on Monday for more serious wounds.

Escalating Violence in the Village

The frequency and severity of attacks in Ein al-Duyuk have increased substantially over the past two months. This coincides with the creation of an unauthorized settler encampment nearby and the influx of new, confrontational settlers.

Local observers report that violent incidents have become an almost daily occurrence. These incidents have involved settler mobs forcibly entering houses, assaulting residents, and taking sheep, vehicles, and destroying solar panels.

International Law and Government Reactions

Although all Israeli communities on land seized in 1967 are considered unlawful by the international community, unauthorized outposts are also against Israeli domestic statutes. The village is located within Area A of the West Bank, a zone theoretically under the control of the Palestinian Authority.

The Canadian foreign ministry stated it “strongly condemns the violent acts committed by radical settlers and is against any measures or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

The Italian foreign minister, Minister Tajani, told reporters: “We have had enough of this hostility. This is not the way for anyone to make their claims.”

Absence of Protection and Broader Context

Residents and advocates report there has been little effective action by security forces to stop the attacks or dismantle the outpost. Senior figures of the current Israeli government are vocal backers of settlements in the territory.

United Nations data indicates that settlers and Israeli forces have taken the lives of over a thousand Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, in the West Bank over the last 24 months.

Voice of the Volunteers

The Canadian volunteer added that, despite the attack, she felt the presence of volunteers in Ein al-Duyuk had been valuable.

“The residents felt more confident while we were present,” she said. “Kids were able to play outside. People slept through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile.”

A local organizer working with groups that bring in international observers said the recent encampment has brought in far-right wing settlers who seem to belong to an organised group.