Russia Protests Israeli Attack on Diplomatic Vehicle West Bank
Russia Lodges Complaint with Israel Over Settler Attack on Diplomatic Vehicle in West Bank
Summary of the Incident
Russia has formally protested to Israel following an attack by Israeli settlers on a Russian diplomatic vehicle in the occupied West Bank. The incident, which occurred near the illegal settlement of Giv’at Asaf, east of Ramallah, involved mechanical damage to the vehicle and verbal threats directed towards Russian diplomats. Moscow alleges that Israeli military personnel present at the scene failed to intervene and stop the aggression.
Details of the Attack
According to a statement by Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the attack took place on July 30th. The vehicle, belonging to Russia’s representation to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and clearly marked with diplomatic registration plates, was targeted by a group of settlers.
Zakharova described the attack as a “gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961” and expressed “bewilderment and disapproval” at the lack of intervention by Israeli soldiers. Reports indicate the vehicle was carrying members of the Russian diplomatic mission to the PA,who are also accredited with Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
The Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv has delivered a demarche letter to Israeli authorities, formally lodging the complaint.
Russia Raises Concerns at the UN Security Council
The issue was brought to the attention of the UN Security Council during a session focused on Israeli captives in Gaza.Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, highlighted the attack as occurring amidst a broader pattern of “cleansing and colonising” of Palestinian territory by Israeli authorities.
Polyansky emphasized that the attack occurred “under the lenient eye of the Israeli military” and warned that the systematic policy of displacing Palestinians, whether from Gaza or the West Bank, poses important risks to regional stability and could escalate tensions towards a major war.he stated that both Palestinians and foreigners are increasingly becoming victims of security force raids and settler violence.
Escalating violence in the West Bank
The attack on the Russian diplomatic vehicle is part of a wider surge in violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the occupied West Bank, especially since october 2023.
According to UN reports, between January 1, 2024, and the start of July 2025, nearly 650 Palestinians, including 121 children, have been killed in the territory by Israeli forces and settlers.A further 5,269 Palestinians have been injured, including 1,029 children.
Settler attacks alone have resulted in over 2,200 casualties and instances of property damage. This escalating violence underscores the volatile situation in the West Bank and the growing concerns over the safety and security of both Palestinians and international personnel.