The IDF fired warning shots near a delegation of 25 people, after they entered an unapproved area in order 'to distance them.'
News of IDF soldiers firing warning shots towards a delegation of some 25 Arab and European diplomats in Jenin has been met with anger and condemnation from embassies and foreign ministries.
According to reports, the diplomats were taking a tour of the West Bank city when they deviated from a previously coordinated and agreed route into an unapproved area, resulting in IDF soldiers firing into the air to push them away. There were no damages or casualties.
Diplomats from Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, the UK, India, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sri Lanka, the EU, Turkey and other nations were reportedly in attendance as were journalists.
The military said "the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorized to be" and that soldiers fired "warning shots to distance them away."
Germany condemns the 'unprovoked' action
"The IDF fired shots today in the direction of a registered diplomatic delegation, including a German diplomat. We strongly condemn this unprovoked shelling," the German Foreign Ministry wrote on X.
In der Nähe von #Jenin im Westjordanland wurden heute durch die IDF Schüsse in Richtung einer angemeldeten diplomatischen Delegation abgegeben, darunter auch ein deutscher Diplomat. Diesen unprovozierten Beschuss verurteilen wir scharf. Ganze Erklärung: https://t.co/eNG4vGXc3I
— Auswärtiges Amt (@AuswaertigesAmt) May 21, 2025
'Shocked and appalled'
"I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. Fortunately, no-one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms," Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris wrote on X.
'Endangered lives,' writes Turkey MFA
"This attack, which endangered the lives of diplomats, is yet another demonstration of Israel's systematic disregard for international law and human rights," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
"The targeting of diplomats constitutes a graver threat not only to individual safety but also to mutual respect and trust that form the foundation of inter-state relations. The attack must be investigated without delay, and those responsible must be held accountable," the statement continued.
'Unacceptable,' says French Foreign Ministry
"This is unacceptable," the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot wrote on X, adding that France will summon the Israeli Ambassador for an explanation.
Une visite à Jénine, à laquelle participait un de nos diplomates, a essuyé des tirs de soldats israéliens. C’est inacceptable. L’ambassadeur d’Israël sera convoqué pour s’expliquer.Plein soutien à nos agents sur place et leur travail remarquable dans des conditions éprouvantes.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) May 21, 2025
Violation of international humanitarian law, says Jordan
The shooting was "a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a crime that contravenes all diplomatic norms," the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X in a post condemning the event "in the strongest terms."
دانت وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين، بأشدّ العبارات، إطلاق قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي النار تجاه وفد دبلوماسي يضم أكثر من ٢٥ سفيرًا عربيًا وأوروبيًا، من بينهم السفير الأردني في رام الله، إلى جانب عدد من الصحفيين العرب والأجانب، أثناء قيامهم بجولة ميدانية في محافظة جنين في الضفة… pic.twitter.com/F8Tf4K4uUj
— وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين الأردنية (@ForeignMinistry) May 21, 2025
Italy summons Israel's ambassador
Israel's ambassador to Italy will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry to explain the incident in Jenin, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday.
Ho appena dato disposizione al Segretario generale del Ministero degli Esteri di convocare l’Ambasciatore di Israele a Roma per avere chiarimenti ufficiali su quanto accaduto a Jenin.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) May 21, 2025
Italian media reported that a group of foreign diplomats from numerous countries, including Italy, had to flee for cover during a visit to Jenin after Israeli troops allegedly fired in the air to warn them away.
Belgium demands 'convincing explanation'
Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot also responded. In a post to X/Twitter, he said, "I was shocked to hear that the Israeli army opened fire today on about twenty diplomats, including a Belgian colleague. Luckily he's okay. These diplomats were on an official visit to Jenin, coordinated with the Israeli army, in a convoy of about twenty clearly recognizable vehicles. Belgium is asking Israel for a convincing explanation."
(FR/NL) Choqué d'apprendre que l'armée israélienne a ouvert le feu aujourd'hui en direction d'une vingtaine de diplomates, dont un collègue belge. Il va bien, heureusement. Ces diplomates effectuaient une visite officielle à Jenin, qui avait pourtant été coordonnée avec l'armée…
— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) May 21, 2025
EU chief calls for investigation
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she had heard about the incident, which happened on a visit by international diplomats organized by the Palestinian Authority.
"We definitely call on Israel to investigate this incident and also hold those accountable who are responsible for this and any threats on diplomats' lives," she said.
"Any threats on diplomats' lives are unacceptable," Kallas told reporters in Brussels, as reported by AFP.
Spain strongly condemns
The Spanish Foreign Ministry said a Spaniard was among the group of diplomats, who was not hurt.
"We are in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response to what happened, which we strongly condemn," it said in a statement.
Portugal to take diplomatic measures
The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned 'the attack' on the delegation, which the Portuguese Ambassador was a part of, according to a post on X.
Portugal will take the appropriate diplomatic measures, the post added.
Portugal condena liminarmente o ataque do exército israelita à comitiva diplomática no campo de refugiados de Jenin, Cisjordânia. O MNE @PauloRangel_pt transmitiu toda a solidariedade ao Embaixador português que integrava a comitiva e tomará as medidas diplomáticas adequadas.
— Negócios Estrangeiros PT (@nestrangeiro_pt) May 21, 2025
Actions violate international law, Palestinian Authority says
The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry said, "The delegation was undertaking an official mission to observe and assess the humanitarian situation and document the ongoing violations perpetrated by Israel. The ministry called the Israeli military's actions a violation of international law.
