A delegation of European diplomats came under attack from masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, prompting condemnation from Belgium and from Israel's military and foreign minister. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, however, cast doubt on the accounts.

The envoys, from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church, had travelled to Taybeh, a predominantly Christian village near Ramallah, to assess conditions after near-daily settler attacks on Palestinians trying to harvest their olives. Footage from the scene showed masked settlers confronting the convoy, and stones were reportedly thrown. Belgian authorities said a consulate vehicle had a window smashed and a French mayor was assaulted.

Belgium condemned the attack on its consul general and the other envoys. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said that, as the occupying power, Israel must protect Palestinians, guarantee the safety of diplomats and journalists, and bring those responsible to justice. He added that Belgium would keep pushing for EU sanctions on violent settlers and their backers.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly condemned what he called violence by "Israeli rioters", but said it was regrettable the visit had not been coordinated with the army. The military denounced a "serious violent act" and said a preliminary inquiry found no soldiers were present at the time.

Netanyahu's office urged caution before drawing conclusions, saying police had opened an investigation and warning of a possible "coordinated campaign" to discredit Israel.

The injured official, Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, told AFP that settlers kicked him, beat him with iron bars and threw him to the ground.

The attack came a day after Palestinians and Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine were hurt in a separate settler assault in another West Bank village.