Hebrew media revealed that the Italian consulate general in Jerusalem has filed an urgent official complaint with the Israeli government in the wake of Sunday’s serious incident in the village of Nama near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. In the incident, armed Israeli settlers forced two Italian Carabinieri officers to their knees at gunpoint and interrogated them.
The two consular staff were on a field reconnaissance mission in preparation for a European Union ambassador’s visit to the village when Israeli settlers stopped them, pointed automatic weapons at them, forced them to their knees, and forced them to impromptu interrogate them about why they were in the area.
Despite the fact that the two officers presented diplomatic cards and identification cards issued by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and were traveling in a distinctive diplomatic vehicle, the gunman continued to threaten them until the two officers returned safely to the consulate and immediately reported the incident.
The Italian consulate general expressed “deep concern” about the incident in an official statement, stressing that the two officers were in possession of diplomatic passports and official Israeli identity cards, and lodged a complaint with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli army, the police and the Shin Bet.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome to publicly protest and demand an explanation, calling the incident “extremely dangerous” and “totally unacceptable,” especially as it affected individuals enjoying diplomatic immunity.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between Italy and Israel as European criticism of the West Bank settlers’ actions grows and Italy emphasizes the need to respect the legal status of its diplomats and consular staff.
Hebrew media reported that the Italian consulate general in Jerusalem has filed an urgent official complaint with the Israeli government following a serious incident on Sunday in the village of Nilin, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. In this incident, armed Israeli settlers forced two Italian Carabinieri officers to kneel at gunpoint and interrogated them.
Two officers working at the consulate were on a field reconnaissance mission in preparation for a European Union ambassador’s visit to the village when they were stopped by Israeli settlers, forced to their knees with automatic weapons and impromptu interrogated about why they were in the area.
Despite presenting diplomatic and official identification cards issued by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and riding in a marked diplomatic vehicle, the gunman continued to threaten the employees until they returned safely to the consulate and immediately reported the incident.
In an official statement, the Italian Consulate General expressed “serious” concerns about the incident, confirmed that the officers were carrying diplomatic passports and official Israeli identification cards, and lodged a complaint with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli army, the police and the Shin Bet.
Italy’s foreign ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome to formally protest and demand an explanation, calling the incident “extremely serious” and “absolutely unacceptable,” especially since it involved individuals enjoying diplomatic immunity.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between Italy and Israel as European criticism of the West Bank settlers’ actions grows and Italy insists on the need to respect the legal status of its diplomats and consular staff.
