Settlers Attack Palestinians, Injure Washington Post Photographer During Olive Harvest

Settlers were documented on Friday attacking Palestinians in several olive groves in the West Bank, resulting in injuries to at least three Palestinians, including a 64-year-old Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine. The Red Crescent reported that Levine, a 40-year-old, and a 70-year-old were injured in the village of Abu Falah, north of Ramallah. Levine described being attacked by a large group of settlers, who kicked and beat her for about ten minutes, stealing her cameras and passport. She stated that Palestinian villagers eventually rescued her and noted that families now keep women and children away from the harvest due to the danger.

Further incidents of settler violence were reported in Burqa and Beit Ummar, where five Palestinians were injured. In the area of Turmus Ayya, vehicles were seen on fire, and three Palestinians were injured by stun grenades. Attacks against olive harvesters were also reported in the village of Ramoun, east of Ramallah. The Israeli police have opened investigations into the incidents in Abu Falah and Turmus Ayya.

The IDF stated it would investigate the attack on Levine but emphasized that enforcement responsibility also lies with other bodies, calling the attack on innocents "unbearable" and requiring a multi-organizational solution. The US Embassy condemned the incident, calling for arrests and prosecutions, and stated that the Trump administration prioritizes the safety of Americans. The Prime Minister's Office, in a statement released only in English, condemned violence against anyone, including journalists, and vowed that perpetrators would be held accountable. However, the office also questioned the reports, suggesting the facts were unclear and that the incident involved two sides, with approximately 200 Arabs and far-left activists clashing with 40 young Israelis.

The Foreign Press Association in Israel urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to stop downplaying attacks on journalists in the West Bank, and The Washington Post's Editor-in-Chief, Matt Murray, rejected the Prime Minister's remarks, stating that Levine's status as a journalist and her being beaten were undisputed facts. The Benjamin Regional Council blamed the Palestinian Authority for leading the confrontation, accusing Palestinians of throwing stones and firing fireworks, while not explaining why Israelis were in Area B, where Israel holds security responsibility.

Human rights organization Yesh Din reported that since September 27, 487 incidents of violence by settlers and soldiers have been documented, with 234 of these related to the olive harvest. The IDF stated its forces responded to the incident in Abu Falah, where a foreign journalist was injured, and that forces used crowd dispersal methods. They also reported firing into the air and then at a suspect who ran towards them with a sharp object. The police confirmed an investigation is underway, with officers and forensic investigators working to gather evidence and testimonies.