A group of Palestinian students disrupted a meeting of European Union diplomats in the West Bank on Tuesday and attacked some of their cars with stones to protest against the war in Gaza, according to videos circulating online.
The EU diplomats to the Palestinian territories were holding a meeting at the Palestinian Museum, which celebrates Palestinian history and culture, in Birzeit near Ramallah when the incident happened. Videos on social media later showed a crowd surrounding a car and smashing a window by throwing stones.
The German ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Oliver Owcza, was chased, and his vehicle was attacked by students at Birzeit University in Ramallah earlier today. pic.twitter.com/slm7qI0I5B— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) April 30, 2024
‘Peaceful protest & dialogue’
Amr Kayed, a student from Birzeit University, said they forced the EU diplomats to leave to send a message that “anyone who is complicit in genocide and the offensive on Gaza” was not welcome. Oliver Owcza, the German representative to the Palestinian territories, said he regretted that the meeting was interrupted.
“Nevertheless, we remain committed to constructively work with our Palestinian partners,” he said on X. “Peaceful protest & dialogue always has its place.”
Before the incident, Palestinian students posted a message on Facebook calling for a protest against the presence of the German representative over his country’s support for Israel during its war with Gaza.
Peaceful protest & dialogue always has its place. We regret that today’s meeting of EU Heads of Missions at the National Museum in Birzeit was unduly interrupted by protestors.Nevertheless, we remain committed to constructively work with our Palestinian partners!— Oliver Owcza (@GermanRepRama) April 30, 2024
Germany has been one of Israel’s staunchest allies since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. More than 34,535 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s subsequent military offensive, according to health authorities in the enclave.
Germany has also been one of the leading arms exporters to Israel, sending 326.5 million euros in military equipment and weapons in 2023, according to German Economy Ministry data. Violence in the West Bank, which had already been on the rise before the war, has since flared with stepped-up Israeli raids and Palestinian street attacks.
Oliver Owcza @GermanRepRama the Herman Ambassador to Gaza visited Ramallah yesterday.He was chased by Palestinians who finished by attacking his car & who pelting it with stones.
Tactful, thoughtful people. pic.twitter.com/lyOFdhXPMl
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) May 1, 2024
Palestinian Health Ministry records show Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 460 Palestinians since Oct. 7. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and the area has been under military occupation since, while Israeli settlements have gradually expanded. Palestinians envisage the West Bank as part of a future independent state also including Gaza and East Jerusalem.
(With agency inputs)
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