Israeli police detained 10 people in a West Bank raid targeting individuals linked to attacks on foreigners and the construction of an illegal outpost. A court extended the detention of six men involved in attacks on foreigners for a period of three to four days.
Israeli militants attacked a group of Palestinians and European diplomats outside the town of Taybeh. During the assault, militants attacked a visiting French mayor and smashed the window of an official vehicle.
The violence caused severe injuries to a young Palestinian man. Heidi Levine suffered a ripped finger and four broken vertebrae, which required surgery.
"I was practically, basically lynched by a gang of Jewish settlers in the area of Ramallah," Levine said. Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the accounts of militant violence and referred to an "alleged attack" on Levine.
The Israeli Prime Minister also dismissed reports of diplomats being targeted as "unproven allegations." Yesh Din documented 561 incidents of violence by soldiers and settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank over three weeks since 27 September.
These figures indicate an average of more than 26 incidents of settler violence against Palestinians every day. Ziv Stahl stated that 94% of investigations into settler violence against Palestinians are closed without indictments.
Haaretz reported that political pressure is preventing the army from confronting "Jewish terrorism" in the West Bank. Israeli defence officials said commanders are reluctant to challenge settler leaders or take action against civilians and soldiers who attack Palestinians.
Maj Gen Avi Bluth suspended the battalion responsible for an attack on a CNN crew in March from operational duty.
