International Outrage Grows After Israeli Forces Open Fire on European Diplomatic Delegation in Jenin

Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- More than a dozen governments have condemned Israel after its forces opened fire on a European diplomatic delegation on Wednesday at the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The diplomats were visiting the camp to assess the humanitarian situation and speak with residents.

Israeli soldiers stationed near the eastern entrance of the camp fired live bullets directly and heavily at the group. Journalists accompanying the delegation were also targeted. The diplomats were standing near an iron gate Israel installed at the camp’s entrance.

WATCH: Israeli occupation forces open fire directly at an international delegation visiting Jenin refugee camp, currently under a tight Israeli military siege, which included over 25 EU and Arab ambassadors and diplomats. pic.twitter.com/g9ThTW1lmK

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 21, 2025

The delegation included ambassadors and consuls from Arab and European countries. They had visited the Jenin Governorate earlier in the day. The governor briefed them on the economic collapse in the city, the destruction of infrastructure, and the suffering of 22,000 Palestinians expelled from the refugee camp.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack. In a statement, it called the shooting a “grave and blatant violation of international law and diplomatic norms,” specifically citing the Vienna Convention of 1961. The ministry said the attack showed Israel’s “systematic contempt” for international law and Palestinian sovereignty.

The Ministry held the Israeli occupation government fully responsible and urged countries whose diplomats were targeted to respond with clear positions and concrete measures. It also renewed its demand for international protection for Palestinians and foreign diplomats working in Palestine.

The Israeli military, quoted by Army Radio, claimed the delegation entered a restricted area. A military spokesperson said soldiers fired “warning shots” and expressed “regret for the inconvenience.” No injuries were reported.

Eyewitnesses told Al Jazeera that two Israeli soldiers approached the delegation and opened fire directly. The group included 25 diplomats from EU and Arab states, the UN’s refugee agency (UNRWA), and representatives from the EU. The incident forced the immediate cancellation of the visit.

European and Arab reactions followed swiftly. Here are a few of them:

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the Israeli ambassador has been summoned to Global Affairs to see the minister and explain.

“We expect a full investigation and we expect an immediate explanation of what happened. It’s totally unacceptable, it’s some of many things that are totally unacceptable that’s going on in the region.”

United Kingdom

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Hamish Falconer said the events in Jenin are unacceptable.

“I have spoken to our diplomats who were affected.
Civilians must always be protected, and diplomats allowed to do their jobs. There must be a full investigation, and those responsible should be held accountable.”

Ireland

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he is deeply “shocked and horrified that the [Israeli forces] today opened fire on a group of diplomats visiting the town of Jenin. Thankfully, nobody was killed or injured.”

“I unreservedly condemn this aggressive, intimidatory and violent act. This is not and must never be a normal way to behave.”

Italy

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani asked the government of Israel to “immediately clarify what happened. The threats against diplomats are unacceptable.”

Netherlands

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp
said diplomats “should be able to do their work, and threatening them is unacceptable. I have called the Dutch representative in the Palestinian territories and our ambassador to Israel and am relieved that the delegation is unharmed. We condemn the shooting, have requested clarification from the Israeli authorities and are considering further steps.”

France

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said a visit to Jenin, in which one of our diplomats was participating, was fired upon by Israeli soldiers.

“This is unacceptable. The Israeli ambassador will be summoned to explain. Full support to our agents on site and their remarkable work in trying conditions.”

Finnland

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said this is a “very serious and condemnable incident. I have spoken with the Finnish diplomat who was present at the situation. We demand an explanation from Israel about the situation.”

Denmark

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen
stated it is “unacceptable that Israel has fired shots near foreign diplomats. It has no place anywhere and is completely unacceptable.”

The Danish head of mission in Ramallah was among the diplomats and is “fortunately safe. In light of the seriousness of the situation, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Israeli ambassador so that we can get an official explanation.”

Belgium

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said she was “shocked to learn that the Israeli army opened fire on 20 diplomats today, including a Belgian colleague.”

“Fortunately, he is fine. These diplomats were on an official visit to Jenin, coordinated with the Israeli army, in a convoy of 20 clearly recognisable vehicles. Belgium is asking Israel for a convincing explanation.”

Norway

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide
said he “condemns the attacks by [the Israeli military] against a group of diplomats in Jenin today. Diplomatic and consular staff enjoy a special status under international law and must be protected. These actions constitute a clear violation of international law and are deeply unacceptable.”

Portugal

Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it condemns the “attack by the Israeli army on the diplomatic delegation in the Jenin refugee camp, West Bank. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its solidarity with the Portuguese ambassador who was part of the delegation and will take the appropriate diplomatic measures.”

Germany

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office “strongly condemns this unprovoked fire. We can count ourselves lucky that nothing more serious occurred.
The group was travelling in the West Bank in the course of its diplomatic work and in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli army.”

“The role of diplomats as independent observers on the ground is indispensable and in no way represents a threat to Israeli security interests.
The Israeli government must immediately investigate the circumstances and respect the inviolability of diplomats.”

Slovenia

Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs joined “EU partners in condemning the gunfire that threatened foreign diplomats at Jenin camp.
Such intimidation violates the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and is utterly unacceptable. We expect a prompt, transparent Israeli investigation, full accountability and guarantees of safe, unhindered access for all diplomatic missions.”

Jordan

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said this is a “clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a crime that contravenes all diplomatic norms.”

The Ministry’s official spokesperson, Ambassador Dr Sufyan Qudah, affirmed the kingdom’s absolute rejection and strong condemnation of this targeting, which constitutes a violation of diplomatic agreements and norms, particularly the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which defines the procedures and controls governing diplomatic work and grants immunities to diplomatic missions.”

Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly condemns the Israeli occupation forces for opening fire on an international diplomatic delegation during its visit to the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, and considered as a violation of international laws, conventions, and diplomatic norms.”

Turkey

Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned in “the strongest terms the opening of fire by Israeli soldiers on a group of diplomats, including an official from the Turkish Consulate General in Jerusalem, during their visit to the city of Jenin.”

“This attack, which endangered the lives of diplomats, is yet another demonstration of Israel’s systematic disregard for international law and human rights. The targeting of diplomats constitutes a grave threat not only to individual safety but also to the mutual respect and trust that form the foundation of inter-state relations.”

Egypt

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised its “absolute rejection of this incident, which violates all diplomatic norms, and calls upon the Israeli side to provide the necessary clarifications regarding the circumstances of this incident.”

Uruguay

Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Israeli ambassador in Montevideo to clarify the incident.

“Uruguay urges the Israeli government to investigate this incident and take the necessary measures to ensure the protection and allow the operations of diplomatic personnel accredited to the State of Palestine.”

Mexico

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Israeli military “justified the action by stating that the diplomatic delegation had invaded an ‘unauthorised area’. However, there is no record of this occurring or of any officer approaching the delegation to verbally warn them in a timely manner.”

“What happened violates the provisions of Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which establishes the inviolability of diplomatic agents. All States Parties to the aforementioned Convention, including Israel, are obliged to respect it.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will request the Israeli embassy in Mexico to provide the clarifications warranted by the case.”

Since January, the Israeli military has intensified its operations in Jenin and surrounding areas. The ongoing offensive has killed dozens of Palestinians, displaced over 22,000 residents, and destroyed more than 600 homes.

The escalation in the West Bank comes as Israel continues its genocide in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 969 Palestinians in the West Bank, wounded about 7,000, and kidnapped more than 17,000, according to Palestinian data.