Moscow has formally accused Israel of failing to protect a Russian diplomatic vehicle from an attack by Israeli settlers near an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on July 30, according to a statement released by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The vehicle, which belongs to Russia’s representation to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and bears diplomatic registration plates, was attacked near Giv’at Asaf, an illegal Israeli settlement located east of Ramallah and approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Jerusalem. The attack resulted in mechanical damage to the vehicle, and Russian diplomats present at the scene reported receiving verbal threats. According to the ministry, Israeli military personnel were present but did not intervene to stop the aggressors.
Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokeswoman, described the incident as a “gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.” She expressed “bewilderment and disapproval” over the attack, particularly given the apparent complicity of Israeli security forces.
Russian media reports indicate that the vehicle was carrying members of Russia’s diplomatic mission to the PA, who are also accredited with Israel’s Foreign Ministry. In response, the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv has submitted a formal protest letter to Israeli authorities.
At a recent session of the UN Security Council focused on the situation of Israeli captives in Gaza, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, raised concerns about the attack. He stated that the incident occurred during a period when Israeli authorities have pursued policies of “cleansing and colonising” Palestinian territory.
Polyansky emphasized that both ordinary Palestinians and foreigners continue to suffer from frequent raids by security forces and violent attacks by settlers. He highlighted that the attack on the Russian diplomatic vehicle took place “under the lenient eye of the Israeli military.”
He warned that the systematic displacement of Palestinians—whether from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank—poses significant risks to regional stability and could potentially reignite conflict. “This policy is fraught with new risks and dangers for stability and security in the Middle East,” he said.
According to the United Nations, violent attacks by Israeli settlers and military personnel in the occupied West Bank have increased since October 2023. Between January 1, 2024, and the start of July 2025, nearly 650 Palestinians—including 121 children—were killed by Israeli forces and settlers. Another 5,269 Palestinians were injured, including 1,029 children. Settler violence alone accounted for over 2,200 casualties and incidents of property damage.
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