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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed serious concern about extremist settler violence in Israel, urging an immediate crackdown following an incident where armed settlers threatened European diplomats. Reports indicate the IDF received distress calls about the threats on Saturday but only responded hours later.

The incident involved settlers attacking European diplomats, with one diplomat present describing the violence: ‘They came down from the hills with clubs and surrounded our vehicles.’ The assault prompted condemnation from Israel’s President, Foreign Minister, IDF and police.

However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office cast doubt on the incident’s characterisation, releasing a statement in English questioning whether events occurred as described. This contradiction between Israeli security agencies and the Prime Minister’s office has drawn international attention.

Rubio’s intervention represents significant US diplomatic pressure on Israel regarding settler violence, a longstanding concern in US-Israeli relations. The incident also comes amid broader tensions over extremist activity in occupied Palestinian territories.

Sources: Ynet, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel