Background on Key Figures and Context
The incident occurred when Israeli forces opened fire with live ammunition during a diplomatic visit organized by the Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank. Representatives from over 20 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, China, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt, were present near Yenín in northern West Bank.
Who is Involved?
- Palestinian Authority: The governing body that partially administers the West Bank, accusing Israeli forces of directly targeting a diplomatic delegation with real bullets.
- Israeli Military: Justified the incident by stating that diplomats deviated from the approved itinerary, using warning shots to redirect them.
- United Nations Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric: Condemned the act, stating that diplomats should never be threatened or attacked.
- European Diplomacy Chief, Kaja Kallas: Declared that any threat to diplomats’ lives is unacceptable.
- Mexico: Condemned the incident, stating it violates Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which ensures diplomats’ inviolability.
Key Events and Reactions
The Israeli military claimed the diplomats strayed from the approved route, prompting warning shots. However, diplomats described the incident as repeated gunfire, calling it unacceptable and non-normal.
International Response
- Multiple countries, including Italy, France, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, and Uruguay, summoned their respective ambassadors to Israel or pledged to address the issue directly.
- Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) issued a statement, confirming the participation of Mexican officials Pedro Blanco Pérez and Julio César Escobedo Flores in the diplomatic delegation.
- SRE requested clarification from the Israeli embassy in Mexico regarding the incident, emphasizing its violation of diplomatic immunity principles.
Key Questions and Answers
- What happened during the diplomatic visit? Israeli forces opened fire with live ammunition during the visit, targeting diplomats who deviated from an approved itinerary.
- Why did the Israeli military take such actions? The military claimed diplomats strayed from the approved route, using warning shots to redirect them.
- What was the international response? Multiple countries condemned Israel’s actions, with some summoning ambassadors or pledging to address the issue directly. Mexico emphasized the violation of diplomatic immunity principles.
