# Netanyahu Dismisses Settler Violence as 'Hoax' Amid Attacks on Diplomats, Journalist

> Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described settler violence as a "tremendous hoax" just days before Israeli police detained 10 individuals for attacks on a French mayor, European diplomats, and a U.S. photojournalist in the West Bank.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-20T13:38:11.686328Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/netanyahu-dismisses-settler-violence-as-hoax-amid-attacks-on-diplomats-journalist-cd4e3907

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, October 15, 2026, dismissed settler violence in the West Bank as a "tremendous hoax" perpetrated by a small group, days before Israeli police arrested 10 suspects in connection with recent attacks on European diplomats, a French mayor, and a U.S. photojournalist [7][2][3]. These arrests follow mounting international pressure after a series of assaults during the annual olive harvest season [3][20].

The Prime Minister's statements come as international condemnation grows over the violence, highlighting a stark difference between official Israeli rhetoric and the experiences of victims, including foreign nationals and Palestinians.

## What the records show

In a CNN interview on October 15, 2026, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that settler violence was a "tremendous hoax" [7]. He attributed the actions to "about 150, 200 juvenile delinquents," asserting, "It's not settlers actually" [7]. Netanyahu has previously condemned the actions of a "handful of rioters" and downplayed accounts of extremist attacks on Palestinians [6][4]. Following incidents involving European diplomats, he also warned against a "campaign to smear Israel" [8][9].

However, in the days immediately following Netanyahu's remarks, multiple sources reported on violent incidents. On October 17, 2026, masked Israeli settlers attacked Bernard Baudoux, the Mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, France, in the occupied West Bank [1][11]. Baudoux was participating in the Palestinian olive harvest alongside a convoy of European diplomats, including representatives from Belgium and Poland [1][13][14]. This incident followed a separate attack by settlers that seriously injured U.S. photojournalist Heidi Levine near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah [2][21].

## The timeline

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized settler violence as a "tremendous hoax" in a CNN interview [7]. Two days later, on Saturday, October 17, a group of European diplomats and French Mayor Bernard Baudoux were attacked by masked settlers in the occupied West Bank [1][13]. This occurred during the olive harvest, a day after a U.S. photojournalist was injured in a separate settler attack [21][12]. By Monday, October 19, Israeli police detained 10 people in connection with these recent attacks [2][3].

## What changed and for whom

Following the attacks on international figures, Israel faced increased pressure from various parties, including the United States, to investigate the violence [3][20]. The European Union "strongly condemns" such attacks, according to its foreign policy spokesperson [26]. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot denounced the attack on diplomats and called for accountability [24][25]. France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs also strongly condemned the attack on Mayor Baudoux [31]. This international outcry appears to have prompted Israeli authorities to take action, leading to the arrests of 10 individuals [2][20]. Rights groups have stated that most inquiries into extremist assaults on Palestinians typically do not lead to results [3].

## What the subject has said publicly

Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently downplayed the severity of settler violence, describing it as the work of a small number of "juvenile delinquents" rather than a widespread issue among settlers [7]. He has also stated that "serious accusations require serious evidence" when addressing claims of attacks on diplomats [8]. Netanyahu has further warned against a "campaign to smear Israel" in response to such incidents [8][9].

## What we could not confirm

This reporting does not specify the identities of the 10 individuals detained by Israeli police or the specific charges they face [2][3]. It also does not detail the extent of injuries sustained by the European diplomats or Mayor Baudoux, beyond noting an American photojournalist was seriously injured [14][21].

## Evidence cited
1. French mayor attacked by settlers during occupied West Bank olive harvest (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/10/18/18-10-sv-mayor-of-france-assaulted-by-settlers-ps?traffic_source=rss
2. Israeli police detain 10 people in rare raid against West Bank settlers (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/19/israeli-police-detain-10-people-in-rare-raid-against-west-bank-settlers
3. Israeli Police Detain 10 Over Violent Settler Attacks in West Bank (www.nytimes.com) — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/19/world/middleeast/israel-west-bank-settlers-palestinians.html
4. U.S. Officials Condemn West Bank Attacks as Netanyahu Casts Doubt on Them (www.nytimes.com) — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/18/world/middleeast/netanyahu-settler-attacks-west-bank-palestinians.html
5. News Wrap: Federal judge clashes with DOJ over D.C. golf course (www.pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/news-wrap-federal-judge-clashes-with-doj-over-d-c-golf-course
6. Israel’s prime minister condemns West Bank settler violence as ‘criminal acts by a handful of rioters’ (apnews.com) — https://apnews.com/
7. Netanyahu calls settler violence 'tremendous hoax' - YouTube (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F_E2m3pYp4
8. Netanyahu warns of 'campaign to smear Israel' after European diplomats attacked in West Bank (jpost.com) — https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-770025
9. Netanyahu claims 'smear campaign' after settler attack on diplomats (newarab.com) — https://www.newarab.com/news/netanyahu-claims-smear-campaign-after-settler-attack-diplomats
10. Masked settlers attack European diplomats in the occupied West Bank – PBS NewsHour (pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/masked-settlers-attack-european-diplomats-in-the-occupied-west-bank
11. French Mayor Attacked by Masked Settlers in Occupied West Bank - The Daily Current News (thedailycurrentnews.com) — https://thedailycurrentnews.com/french-mayor-attacked-by-masked-settlers-in-occupied-west-bank/
12. French Mayor Attacked By Settlers Says Incident Proves Govt Tolerance For Violence (afp.com) — https://www.afp.com/en/articles/doc-34z48l7
13. Israel/OPT: Urgent action is needed to stop settler violence during the olive harvest season - Amnesty International (amnesty.org) — https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/10/israel-opt-urgent-action-is-needed-to-stop-settler-violence-during-the-olive-harvest-season/
14. Israeli settlers attack European diplomats, French mayor and archbishop in West Bank (irishtimes.com) — https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2026/10/18/israeli-settlers-attack-european-diplomats-french-mayor-and-archbishop-in-west-bank/
15. Israel-Palestine: Police arrest 10 settlers over West Bank attacks on diplomats, journalist (middleeasteye.net) — https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-police-arrest-10-settlers-west-bank-attacks
16. Israel arrests 10 suspects after West Bank settler attacks on U.S. journalist and European diplomats - CBS News (cbsnews.com) — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-police-arrest-10-suspects-west-bank-settler-attacks-us-journalist-european-diplomats/
17. Israeli police arrest 10 after attacks on US journalist, European diplomats - AllSides (allsides.com) — https://www.allsides.com/news/2026-10-20-410057-politics-israel-west-bank
18. Israel announces arrests after West Bank settler attacks on Westerners (al-monitor.com) — https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/israel-announces-arrests-after-west-bank-settler-attacks-westerners
19. Israel investigating alleged West Bank attack on European diplomats as Netanyahu casts doubt - CBS News (cbsnews.com) — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-pm-netanyahu-west-bank-attacks-diplomats-mayor-photojournalist/
20. Israeli police arrest 10 suspects in West Bank attacks on US journalist, European diplomats | CNN (cnn.com) — https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/19/middleeast/israel-police-arrest-10-suspects-west-bank-attacks-intl/index.html
21. European diplomats allegedly attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank - The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com) — https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/10/18/israel-settler-violence-west-bank-diplomats/
22. European diplomats attacked by masked Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank - YouTube (youtube.com) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5R7sL0qK7g
23. Israeli settlers attack European diplomats and French mayor in West Bank | Israel | The Guardian (theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/17/israeli-settlers-attack-european-diplomats-and-french-mayor-in-west-bank
24. Belgian foreign minister decries settlers' attack on European diplomats (palinfo.com) — https://english.palinfo.com/news/2026/10/18/Belgian-foreign-minister-decries-settlers-attack-on-European-diplomats
25. Belgian Foreign Minister condemns colonists' attack on European diplomats (wafa.ps) — https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/139269
26. EU condemns settler attacks in West Bank, including on diplomats (jpost.com) — https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-770176
27. Belgium condemns attack by Israeli occupiers on Palestinians, diplomats in West Bank (aa.com.tr) — https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/belgium-condemns-attack-by-israeli-occupiers-on-palestinians-diplomats-in-west-bank-/3022136
28. Belgium condemns Israeli settler attack on diplomats in West Bank (yenisafak.com) — https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/belgium-condemns-israeli-settler-attack-on-diplomats-in-west-bank-3677461
29. Israeli Settlers Attack European Diplomats, French Mayor in West Bank - GV Wire - Community. Journalism. (gvwire.com) — https://gvwire.com/2026/10/18/israeli-settlers-attack-european-diplomats-french-mayor-in-west-bank/
30. Israeli settlers attack European diplomats and French mayor in West Bank (thenationalnews.com) — https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/palestine-israel/2026/10/18/israeli-settlers-attack-european-diplomats-and-french-mayor-in-west-bank/
31. Settler attacks in Taybeh, West Bank - Statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (18 Oct. 2026) - France in the United Kingdom (diplomatie.gouv.fr) — https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/the-ministry-for-europe-and-foreign-affairs/statements/article/settler-attacks-in-taybeh-west-bank-statement-by-the-ministry-for-europe-and-foreign
32. French mayor attacked by settlers says incident shows govt tolerance for violence - Region - World - Ahram Online (ahram.org.eg) — https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/511364/World/Region/French-mayor-attacked-by-settlers-says-incident-sh.aspx
33. French mayor attacked by settlers says incident proves government tolerance for violence (timesofisrael.com) — https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/french-mayor-attacked-by-settlers-says-incident-proves-government-tolerance-for-violence/
34. French FM urges Israel to halt settlers' violence in West Bank (cgtn.com) — https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-18/French-FM-urges-Israel-to-halt-settlers-violence-in-West-Bank-1mZ92j6qjUA/index.html
35. French foreign minister decries 'unprecedented' violence by 'extremist settlers' in West Bank (aa.com.tr) — https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/french-foreign-minister-decries-unprecedented-violence-by-extremist-settlers-in-west-bank-/3009579
36. Israel / Palestine: Response to the deteriorating situation in the West Bank (23 Sept. 2026) (diplomatie.gouv.fr) — https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/peace-and-security/crises-and-conflicts/israel-palestine/article/israel-palestine-response-to-the-deteriorating-situation-in-the-west-bank
37. US, France condemn escalating Israeli colonist attacks in occupied West Bank (wafa.ps) — https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/139281
38. France calls on Israel to end 'acts of terrorism' by settlers in West Bank (timesofisrael.com) — https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/france-calls-on-israel-to-end-acts-of-terrorism-by-settlers-in-west-bank/
39. US diplomats visit West Bank village after settler attacks - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East (al-monitor.com) — https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/us-diplomats-visit-west-bank-village-after-settler-attacks
40. Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem condemn settler attacks in Taybeh (lpj.org) — https://lpj.org/the-church-in-the-holy-land/patriarchs-and-heads-of-churches-in-jerusalem-condemn-settler-attacks-in-taybeh
41. Church leaders condemn Taybeh attack, ‘wide-scale terror’ by settlers (timesofisrael.com) — https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/church-leaders-condemn-taybeh-attack-wide-scale-terror-by-settlers/
42. EU condemns settler attacks in West Bank, demands Israel accountability (al-monitor.com) — https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/eu-condemns-settler-attacks-west-bank-demands-israel-accountability
43. France demands Israel arrest settlers who attacked French mayor in West Bank (middleeasteye.net) — https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/france-demands-israel-arrest-settlers-attacked-french-mayor-west-bank
44. EU condemns West Bank settler attack on European diplomats (arabnews.jp) — https://www.arabnews.jp/article/middle-east/middle-east-politics/article_184379/
45. instagram.com (instagram.com) — https://instagram.com/p/DB11t_uP25g/
46. factpundit.com (factpundit.com) — https://factpundit.com/2026/10/09/israeli-settler-violence-reaches-record-highs-in-the-west-bank/
47. facebook.com (facebook.com) — https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1234567890123456
48. instagram.com (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DB11t_uP25g/
49. fmep.org (fmep.org) — https://fmep.org/resource/timeline-of-events-september-october-2026-west-bank-and-israel-gaza-and-israel/
50. CNN presses Netanyahu about settler attacks in the occupied West Bank (modernghana.com) — https://modernghana.com/
51. Facebook (facebook.com) — https://facebook.com/
52. Netanyahu blasts 'handful of rioters' behind West Bank settler violence (newscord.org) — https://newscord.org/
53. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned "violent riots" by settlers in the occupied West Bank. In a statement on X, Netanyahu said the "handful of rioters" did not represent what he termed the “law-abiding settler community". (middleeasteye.net) — https://middleeasteye.net/
54. Netanyahu condemns 'violent riots' by Israeli settlers in West Bank (freepresskashmir.news) — https://freepresskashmir.news/
55. Wave of settler violence (cbc.ca) — https://cbc.ca/