An Israeli soldier held two Italian Carabinieri officers at gunpoint on Sunday in the West Bank near Ramallah, drawing a strong protest from Italy and a pledge of investigation from Israel. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Israeli Ambassador Jonathan Peled to Rome, where Peled expressed regret and committed to an investigation.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions over military and settler conduct in the West Bank, where some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in territory that most of the international community views as illegally occupied.
An Israeli soldier detained two Italian Carabinieri officers at gunpoint on Sunday in the West Bank near Ramallah, drawing a formal protest from Italy and a pledge of investigation from Israel. The officers, engaged in what Italy described as “institutional activities in Palestinian territory,” were stopped while traveling in an armored vehicle.
The Encounter
Israel’s military said a soldier detained the officers in accordance with standard army procedure for handling suspicious vehicles. The vehicle was not marked as a diplomatic vehicle and was traveling on a road closed to civilian traffic. Once the officers identified themselves, the soldier released them. The military acknowledged that the soldier raised his weapon and said it had summoned him for a debrief.
Italian media, citing Foreign Ministry sources, reported a more confrontational encounter. The Israeli forced the officers to kneel down and answer questions before releasing them, Italian media said. The officers were carrying diplomatic passports and their vehicle had diplomatic plates, though the car itself was not marked as a diplomatic vehicle.
Diplomatic Response
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned Israeli Ambassador Jonathan Peled to Rome. The ministry conveyed “strong disappointment and strong protest.” Peled expressed regret and said Israel would conduct “appropriate investigations” and clarify proper procedures to all West Bank troops.
Italy claimed the soldier was linked to settler circles. The ministry said it reiterated longstanding concerns about rising settler violence in the West Bank.
Background on Settlements
Some 500,000 Israelis have settled in the West Bank since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Most of the international community views the settlements as illegal and a major obstacle to peace. The Palestinians seek all three areas for a future state.