Moscow Accuses Israeli Settlers of Attacking Russian Diplomats
Russian Foreign Ministry condemns incident as violation of Vienna Convention; slams Israeli army for failing to intervene
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The Russian Foreign Ministry has formally accused Israeli settlers of attacking a diplomatic vehicle in Judea and Samaria and criticized the Israeli military for not intervening despite being present at the scene.
According to ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the attack occurred on July 30 near the Israeli settlement of Giv’at Asaf, east of Ramallah. Zakharova stated that the vehicle was carrying Russian diplomats accredited to both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and that the settlers shouted threats and inflicted mechanical damage on the car.
“The Israeli Defense Force soldiers didn’t even bother to try and stop the attackers’ aggressive actions,” Zakharova said at a press briefing. “Their inaction is particularly puzzling.”
Russia has filed an official diplomatic protest to Israel, declaring the incident a “blatant violation” of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees protection for diplomatic personnel.
Russia has consistently criticized Israel and reiterated its support for a two-state solution.
“Russia has always adhered to a two-state solution as the basis for resolving the Palestinian issue,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said recently.
The Israeli government has yet to publicly respond to the allegations, but the incident could further strain ties between Jerusalem and Moscow, especially given Russia’s recent diplomatic overtures in the Arab world.