German Representative to the Palestinian Authority Oliver Owcza was heckled and his vehicle was attacked by a student mob during his visit to Birzeit University outside of Ramallah in the West Bank on Tuesday.
Videos posted on social media showed him walking quickly to his car, wearing a suit and holding a briefcase, as protesters followed him.
Other video clips also showed how a mob surrounded the vehicle, threw objects at it, kicked the vehicle and broke off a side mirror to show their anger over Germany’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.
He had been there for a meeting with European Union heads of missions to the PA at the National Museum.
Statement by the German representative
Owcza downplayed the incident in a post on X, stating, “Peaceful protest [and] dialogue always has its place.
“We regret that today’s meeting of EU Heads of Missions at the National Museum in Birzeit was unduly interrupted by protestors.
“Nevertheless, we remain committed to constructively work[ing] with our Palestinian partners!” he stated.
Germany’s Ambassador to Israel, Stefen Seibert, wrote on X, “I am fine as I was not affected by the incident in #Birzeit, which is outside my area of responsibility. I am glad that all my colleagues based in Ramallah are reported to be ok.”
According to Al Jazeera, the German Ambassador in Pakistan was heckled at a human rights conference over his country’s stand on the Gaza war.
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