Italy and Canada have condemned the assault on their citizens in the occupied West Bank after three Italians and a Canadian were beaten and robbed by Israeli settlers in the village of Ein al-Duyuk, near Jericho. The group had been volunteering to help protect Palestinian residents from escalating settler violence.
The attack took place early Sunday morning when ten masked settlers, two armed with army-issued rifles, stormed the house where the volunteers were sleeping. The Canadian victim described being kicked repeatedly in the head, ribs, hips and thighs during a 15‑minute beating. The attackers also destroyed the interior of the house and smashed solar batteries before leaving.
All four victims were hospitalised. One Italian man remained under medical care in Ramallah on Monday with more serious injuries. The Canadian volunteer, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said the incident highlighted the daily violence endured by Palestinians.
Violence in Ein al-Duyuk has intensified in recent months following the establishment of a nearby settler outpost. Activists report near‑daily attacks, including mobs breaking into homes, beating villagers, stealing livestock and vehicles, and damaging solar panels.
Under international law, all settlements in occupied territory are illegal. Even under Israeli law, irregular outposts such as the one near Ein al-Duyuk are unlawful. The village lies in Area A of the West Bank, which is meant to be administered by the Palestinian Authority and off‑limits to Israeli settlers.
Canada’s foreign ministry issued a statement strongly condemning the attack, denouncing extremist settler violence and opposing any annexation of Palestinian territories. Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said his country had “had enough of this aggression,” adding that such actions were not a legitimate way to assert rights.
Israeli authorities in the West Bank have been asked for comment. Villagers and activists say police have failed to intervene or dismantle the outpost. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition are known to support the settler movement.
According to United Nations figures, Israeli settlers and security forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, including 233 children, in the West Bank over the past two years. Observers believe the violence is part of a broader campaign to seize territory.
Manal Tamimi, a Palestinian activist with the organisation Faz3a, said the settlers who attacked the volunteers appeared to be part of an organised far‑right group. She stressed the importance of international volunteers in helping villagers resist pressure to leave their land.
Despite her injuries, the Canadian volunteer said the presence of foreigners had made a difference. “The villagers stood taller while we were present. The children played freely. People slept through the night. That alone made our presence worthwhile,” she said.
