Latest news with #EuropeanDiplomats
Washington Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Ugandan military accuses EU diplomats of engaging in subversive activities
KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan military authorities on Friday accused diplomats from Europe of engaging in subversive activities, in an escalation of tensions over European criticism of human rights violations by Uganda's security forces. Some European diplomats are mobilizing on behalf 'the negative and traitorous groups opposed' to the government of President Yoweri Museveni, the military said in a statement.
Washington Post
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Israeli diplomat defends army after soldiers fired warning shots near diplomats visiting Jenin
PARIS — A senior Israeli diplomat on Thursday defended his country's military after soldiers fired warning shots near a delegation of European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank , an incident France condemned as 'unacceptable' and prompted it to summon Israel's ambassador. 'There was no actual danger,' Assaf Moran, deputy chief of mission of the Israeli embassy in France, said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'It also was proven by the debriefing that the soldiers only shot a warning in the air in order for the delegation to step away, but there was not actual danger to the diplomats on the ground.'
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Israeli diplomat defends army after soldiers fired warning shots near diplomats visiting Jenin
PARIS (AP) — A senior Israeli diplomat on Thursday defended his country's military after soldiers fired warning shots near a delegation of European diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank, an incident France condemned as 'unacceptable' and prompted it to summon Israel's ambassador. 'There was no actual danger,' Assaf Moran, deputy chief of mission of the Israeli embassy in France, said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'It also was proven by the debriefing that the soldiers only shot a warning in the air in order for the delegation to step away, but there was not actual danger to the diplomats on the ground.' The diplomats, including at least one representative from France, came under fire Wednesday while visiting Jenin, a Palestinian city that has seen repeated Israeli military raids. The Israeli army said the visit had been authorized, but that soldiers opened fire when the delegation reportedly deviated from an agreed-upon route. No injuries were reported. France responded by summoning Israel's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry in Paris. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the diplomats 'came under fire' and described the incident as 'unjustifiable and unacceptable.' He added that Israel's ambassador was being summoned 'to explain himself about this extremely serious incident.' The confrontation underscores the growing tensions between Israel and Europe and comes amid rising concern for the safety of diplomats and Jewish communities abroad. On Thursday, the French government issued separate orders to reinforce security around Jewish sites following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called for a stepped-up presence of police and military personnel at synagogues, Jewish schools, cultural centers, and businesses across the country. Though French authorities did not link the Jenin incident with the attack in D.C., the timing of both episodes added to diplomatic unease and triggered heightened vigilance across multiple sectors. Jenin, located in the northern West Bank, has been the site of intensified Israeli operations targeting armed Palestinian groups. Israeli forces say these raids aim to dismantle militant infrastructure, but Palestinian officials and human rights groups accuse the army of disproportionate use of force and collective punishment. European diplomats frequently visit volatile areas like Jenin to monitor conditions on the ground, meet with local leaders, and assess humanitarian needs. Wednesday's incident has raised new concerns about the safety of such missions — even when they are coordinated in advance. Israel insists the delegation was not targeted.
CNN
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Israeli military fires warning shots at foreign diplomats in occupied West Bank
The Israeli military fired warning shots at a large delegation of European and Arab diplomats on an official visit near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank Wednesday. The incident has drawn international condemnation.
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia ‘strongly condemns' Israel shooting toward diplomatic delegation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced 'in the strongest terms' Israeli soldiers shooting toward a diplomatic delegation visiting the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. The Kingdom called on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to 'immediately stop Israeli violations against civilians, diplomatic missions and relief organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territories,' the foreign ministry said. Saudi Arabia demands Israel is held accountable under international law for its ongoing crimes under the occupation, the ministry said. The delegation, which included diplomats from European countries, Turkey, and Egypt, was visiting near Jenin when Israeli soldiers fired shots, sending the officials rushing for cover. The Palestinian foreign ministry said Israel had "deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation.' The incident sparked anger in Europe with a number of governments condemning the shooting, which caused no injuries. Italy, France and Sweden were among those to summon their Israeli ambassadors. The Israeli military said soldiers fired warning shots to keep the delegation away from an unauthorized area and that the party had 'deviated from the approved route." Israel has been conducting a major military operation in Jenin and surrounding areas since January.
