Background on the Incident
During a visit to Yitzhar, a settlement in the northern occupied West Bank, a group of diplomats, including two Mexicans, deviated from the approved route. In response, Israeli forces fired warning shots.
Israeli Military Statement
The Israeli military stated that their troops fired “warning shots” after the diplomats strayed from the authorized path. They reported no injuries but expressed regret for any inconvenience caused during the visit of the delegation, which included diplomats from several countries such as China, Japan, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Romania, Mexico, and Uruguay.
Mexican Government Response
Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced that it would request clarifications from the Israeli embassy in Mexico regarding the incident. SRE emphasized that there was no record of any group member entering an unauthorized zone or any Israeli official approaching the delegation to verbally warn them.
SRE highlighted that this incident contravenes Article 29 of the Vienna Convention, which ensures the inviolability of diplomatic agents. All states, including Israel, are obligated to respect this convention.
Context and Impact
This incident occurred amidst growing international pressure on Israel due to its relentless offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Key Questions and Answers
- What happened during the visit to Yitzhar? A group of diplomats, including Mexicans, deviated from the approved route in Yitzhar, prompting Israeli forces to fire warning shots.
- What actions did the Mexican government take? The Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) requested clarifications from the Israeli embassy in Mexico regarding the incident.
- Why is this significant? The incident contravenes Article 29 of the Vienna Convention, which guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic agents. All states, including Israel, are obligated to respect this convention.
- What is the broader context? This incident took place amidst increasing international pressure on Israel due to its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.
