Turkey on Wednesday demanded an immediate investigation over what the Israeli military said were warning shots fired during a visit by foreign diplomats to the occupied West Bank.
“This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that “an employee of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem” was with the group.
Agence France-Presse footage from Jenin — a frequent target of Israeli military raids — showed the delegation and accompanying journalists running for cover as shots were heard.
Several other countries that had representatives in the group also voiced outrage and demanded an investigation.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold those responsible “accountable.”
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay summoned Israel’s ambassadors or said they would raise the issue directly.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident “totally unacceptable” and pressed for an “immediate explanation.”
Carney added that Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Ottawa.
Egypt denounced the shooting as a breach of “all diplomatic norms,” while Turkey demanded an immediate investigation.
Ahmad al-Deek, political adviser for the Palestinian foreign ministry who accompanied the delegation, condemned “this reckless act by the Israeli army.”
“It has given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living,” he said.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported the delegation included diplomats from more than 20 countries including Britain, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Jordan, Turkey and Russia.
Japan’s government confirmed Thursday that its diplomatic staff participated, adding that it “deeply regrets” the incident.
“The Japanese government has protested to the Israeli side and requested an explanation and the prevention of a recurrence,” government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said in Tokyo.
© Agence France-Presse