Israel and the occupied territories: ICRC condemns violent behaviour against its staff in the West Bank

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) condemns today's violent behaviour against our staff in the West Bank.

ICRC staff were attacked with pepper spray by Israeli settlers during a joint field visit with Palestinian farmers and IDF officials near the town of Burin, south of Nablus. IDF officials present on the ground escorted ICRC staff to their military base, where they provided first aid.

This is not the first time ICRC staff have been subject to acts of aggression while carrying out their work in the West Bank.

The ICRC strongly condemns any act or threat of violence against its staff or against communities in the area. It calls for full respect of the ICRC's exclusively humanitarian mandate.

For more information:

Yahia Masswadeh (Arabic, English), ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 9148

Chris Hanger (English, French, German), ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 9150