Israeli police arrested eight suspects after attacks on European diplomats and journalists in the West Bank

Israeli police announced on Monday the arrest of eight suspects in an investigation into a series of violent incidents that took place over the weekend in the occupied West Bank, including an attack on a convoy of European diplomats and the assault of an American photojournalist.

The identities of those detained were not disclosed, Reuters reported, as cited by Agerpres. The investigation concerns Saturday’s attack, when masked Israeli settlers attacked a group of European diplomats visiting the West Bank. A French mayor was struck during the incident.

The previous day, Heidi Levine, an American photojournalist for The Washington Post, was seriously injured by settlers while reporting on Palestinians harvesting olives. Last week, an AFP photographer was also beaten.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the violence and called the attackers “Israeli rioters.” However, he criticized the European consulates for allegedly failing to coordinate the visit with the Israeli military. Later, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced what it called a campaign of “defamation” against Israel and the settlers.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called for those involved to be identified, prosecuted and convicted, describing the attack as “a despicable act of terror.” Tensions are rising in the West Bank amid violence linked to the olive harvest.