Israeli Settlers Pelt US Consulate Vehicle with Stones in West Bank

silverjohn/iStock/Thinkstock(JERUSALEM) — Armed Israeli settlers pelted a U.S. consulate vehicle with stones in the West Bank on Friday, the U.S. State Department confirmed, saying it is “deeply concerned” about the incident. Israeli media had reported on the incident Friday morning.

U.S. personnel did not draw any weapons, however, the State Dept. said, contradicting some reports.

U.S. consular staff “were in the area looking into reports that settlers had uprooted some 5,000 olive tree saplings in that area in recent days,” State Dept. spokesman Jeff Rathke said in a written statement.

Israeli media reported that U.S. consular staff brought some Palestinians with them and that American guards drew their weapons at the settlers.

The Americans “cancelled the visit,” Rathke said, after a vehicle was “pelted with stones and confronted by a group of armed settlers.”

Rathke said the U.S. is working with Israeli authorities who are investigating the incident and has offered to provide video footage of it.

Israeli authorities have “acknowledge[d] the seriousness of the incident and are looking to apprehend and take appropriate action against those responsible,” Rathke said.

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