A vehicle carrying Russian diplomats was attacked by Israeli settlers on July 30 near the illegal settlement of Giv'at Asaf, located east of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The attack, which resulted in mechanical damage to the diplomatic vehicle, prompted a sharp response from Moscow.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the settlers hurled threats at the diplomats and damaged the vehicle. She emphasized that soldiers from the Israeli military were present during the assault but “didn’t even bother to try and stop the attackers’ aggressive actions.”

Zakharova described the incident as a blatant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and announced that the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv has formally submitted a protest to the Israeli authorities.

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed particular concern over the inaction of the Israeli military personnel who witnessed the assault. Zakharova labeled their failure to intervene as “particularly puzzling,” highlighting the seriousness of the breach in international diplomatic protocol.

“We hope that the Israeli side will draw appropriate conclusions from this situation,” the ministry added.

Vienna Convention violation

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Moscow regards the incident as a serious breach of diplomatic norms under international law. The Vienna Convention, which governs the conduct and protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions worldwide, obligates host countries to ensure the safety of foreign envoys and their property.

The vehicle attacked was officially assigned to diplomats accredited to both the Palestinian Authority and to "Israel’s" Foreign Ministry.

This is not the first attack on diplomatic personnel in the occupied West Bank. Last May, Israeli occupation forces opened fire on a delegation of 30 Arab and European diplomats visiting Jenin refugee camp, sparking international condemnation.

Israeli occupation forces open fire on #Arab-#European committee grouping 30 ambassadors and consuls in #Jenin Refugee Camp, northern #WestBank,#Palestine pic.twitter.com/AIR9LP0yJt

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 21, 2025

Russia’s position on Palestine

Russia has long maintained a consistent and strategic stance in support of Palestinian statehood. Moscow formally recognized the State of Palestine in 1988, a position that continues to underpin its diplomatic approach in the region. Since then, the Palestinian Embassy has operated in Moscow, and Russia has supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with Eastern al-Quds as its capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly called for a "Two State Solution" and an end to what Putin has described as the “total destruction of civilian population” in Gaza.

At the 2024 BRICS summit, Putin emphasized the need to correct “historical injustices against Palestinians,” reaffirming Russia’s support for a Palestinian state that would coexist with "Israel" in peace and security.

Russian criticism of 'Israel’s' actions in Gaza

Since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023, Russia has consistently condemned "Israel’s" military actions. Putin even compared the siege of Gaza to the Nazi siege of Leningrad and stressed that humanitarian law must not be violated in any response to terrorism.

In March and May 2025, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued strong condemnations of "Israel’s" war on Gaza, which at the time killed hundreds of civilians in a matter of days. In parallel, Moscow has refrained from designating Hamas as a terrorist organization, maintaining open channels with all Palestinian factions.