More than a dozen governments condemned Israel after his forces drew in the direction of a diplomatic delegation near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli army said that its soldiers had drawn “warning shots” after the foreign diplomats, who included representatives of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Russia and China, deviate from a previously agreed route.
“(Israelis) soldiers operating in the region fired to keep them away,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel.
No one was injured in the incident.
Here are some of the reactions of political leaders to the incident:
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
The Israeli ambassador was summoned to world affairs to see the minister and explain. We expect a complete investigation and expect an immediate explanation for what happened. It is completely unacceptable, it is some of the things that are completely unacceptable that takes place in the region.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning,
We demand the launch of a complete survey so that similar incidents do not happen again.
British parliamentary subsectary in the Hamish Falconer State
Today’s events in Jenin are unacceptable. I spoke to our diplomats who were affected. Civilians must always be protected and diplomats authorized to do their job. There must be a complete investigation and officials should be held responsible.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin
I am deeply shocked and horrified that the (Israeli forces) opened fire today on a group of diplomats visiting the city of Jenin. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured.
I unreservedly condemn this aggressive, intimidating and violent act. It is not and should never be a normal way to behave.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
We ask the government of Israel to immediately clarify what happened. Threats against diplomats are unacceptable.
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp
Diplomats should be able to do their job and threaten them is unacceptable. I called the Dutch representative in the Palestinian territories and our ambassador to Israel and I am relieved that the delegation is unscathed. We condemn the shooting, have asked for clarification from the Israeli authorities and consider other stages.
French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot
A visit to Jenin, in which one of our diplomats participated, was dismissed by Israeli soldiers. It is unacceptable. The Israeli ambassador will be summoned to explain. Full support to our agents on site and their remarkable work in trying conditions.
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen
It is a very serious and condemnable incident. I spoke with the Finnish diplomat who was present in the situation. We demand an explanation of Israel on the situation.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen
It is unacceptable that Israel fired firing near foreign diplomats. It has no place anywhere and is completely unacceptable.
The Danish chief of the mission in Ramallah was one of the diplomats and is fortunately safe. Given the severity of the situation, I asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Israeli ambassador so that we can obtain an official explanation.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prevot
I was shocked to learn that the Israeli army has opened fire on 20 diplomats today, including a Belgian colleague. Fortunately, it is fine. These diplomats were on an official visit to Jenin, coordinated with the Israeli army, in a convoy of 20 clearly recognizable vehicles. Belgium asks Israel a convincing explanation.
Norwegian Foreign Minister ESPEN BARTH EIDE
I condemn the attacks on (the Israeli army) against a group of diplomats in Jenin today. Diplomatic and consular staff benefit from special status under international law and must be protected. These actions constitute a clear violation of international law and are deeply unacceptable.
Ministry of Foreign Portugal Affairs
Portugal condemns the attack on the Israeli army on the diplomatic delegation of the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs… expressed its solidarity with the Portuguese ambassador who was part of the delegation and will take the appropriate diplomatic measures.
The Ferm Farm Office Forward in Germany
The Federal Foreign Office firmly condemns this unlikely fire. We can count lucky that nothing more serious has happened.
The group was traveling in the West Bank during its diplomatic work and in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli army. The role of diplomats as an independent object in the field is essential and does not represent a threat to Israeli security interests.
The Israeli government must immediately investigate the circumstances and respect the inviolability of diplomats.
Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Slovenia joins the EU partners to condemn the shots that threatened foreign diplomats to the Jenin camp.
Such intimidation violates the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and is completely unacceptable. We expect a rapid and transparent Israeli survey, complete responsibility and safe and unhindered access to all diplomatic missions.
Jordan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This is a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a crime that contravenes all diplomatic standards.
The official spokesperson for the ministry, Dr. Sufyan Qudah’s ambassador confirmed the absolute rejection of the kingdom and the strong conviction of this targeting, which constitutes a violation of agreements and diplomatic standards, in particular the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.
Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The state of Qatar firmly condemns the Israeli occupation forces for having opened fire on an international diplomatic delegation during his visit to the Jenin refugee camp in an occupied West Bank, and considered as a violation of international laws, conventions and diplomatic standards.
Turkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs
We condemn in the strongest terms of the opening of fire by Israeli soldiers on a group of diplomats, including a Turkish consulate general in Jerusalem, during their visit to the city of Jenin.
This attack, which has endangered the life of diplomats, is another demonstration of Israel’s systematic contempt for international law and human rights. The targeting of diplomats constitutes a serious threat not only for individual security, but also mutual respect and confidence which constitute the foundation of inter-state relations.
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Arab Republic of Egypt emphasizes its absolute rejection of this incident, which violates all diplomatic standards, and calls on the Israeli part to provide the necessary clarifications concerning the circumstances of this incident.
Uruguay Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli Ambassador of Montevideo to clarify the incident.
Uruguay urges the Israeli government to investigate this incident and take the necessary measures to ensure protection and allow diplomatic personnel operations accredited to Palestine State.
Ministry of Mexico Foreign Affairs
The Israeli army justified the action by declaring that the diplomatic delegation had invaded an “unauthorized zone”. However, there is no trace of what occurs or an officer approaching the delegation to warn them verbally in a timely manner.
What happened violates the provisions of article 29 of the Convention on Diplomatic Relations of Vienna, which establishes the inviolability of diplomatic agents. All States Parties to the aforementioned convention, including Israel, are forced to respect it.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ask the Israeli Embassy in Mexico to provide the clarifications justified by the case.