American officials Attacked
by Jeff Rathke
The US State Department has announced that armed Israeli settlers attacked American consular officials with stones in the occupied West Bank.
Jeff Rathke, the State Department’s director of the Office of Press Relations, said that the attack took place near the village of Turmus Ayya on Friday.
Israeli authorities acknowledged “the seriousness of this incident and are looking to apprehend and take appropriate action against those responsible,” Rathke said.
He added that Washington was “deeply concerned” by the attack.
Settlers threw rocks at the officials who had come to the area in two consular vehicles, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld.
The officials were in the area to investigate Palestinian claims that settlers vandalized 5,000 Palestinian olive trees.
The vehicles left the area and consular personnel canceled their scheduled event.
Police had opened an inquiry following the filing of an official complaint.
The attack happened after the United States strongly criticized Israel for settlement projects.
Despite criticisms, Washington is providing Tel Aviv with some $3 billion in annual aid and supporting its positions in international forums.
AGB/AGB
Source: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/01/03/391337/Israeli-settlers-attack-American-officials
