Clash Over Photographer's Injury in West Bank Sparks Conflicting Accounts

Heidi Levine, a photographer for The Washington Post, was injured during a violent confrontation near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah in the Benjamin region and was evacuated to a hospital in Ramallah. Levine told Reuters that Israelis knocked her to the ground and repeatedly kicked her. In contrast, the Benjamin Regional Council claims the incident began with a planned provocation by Palestinians and left-wing activists.

The confrontation occurred Friday morning when approximately 80 masked Israelis arrived in an area where Palestinian residents were gathering for olive harvesting. Reuters witnesses reported that some Israelis threw stones using slingshots and set olive trees on fire, with Palestinians responding by throwing stones. At least two people were injured, including Levine.

Levine, who was wearing a protective vest and helmet, described the attack to Reuters from her hospital bed, estimating she sustained about 50 kicks. She stated her attackers continued to hit her after she fell and took her cameras and phone. Palestinian colleagues reportedly intervened to help her escape.

The Benjamin Regional Council disputes Levine's account, presenting a different version of events. They claim hundreds of Palestinians, left-wing activists, and international media arrived under the guise of olive harvesting with the intention of provoking a confrontation. The council alleges participants threw stones and fired fireworks directly at Israelis, who retaliated. They describe the event as a planned provocation, allegedly with the Palestinian Authority's backing.

Regarding Levine's injuries, the council presented video footage they claim was filmed by the Palestinian side. They assert the video shows Levine falling but question the extent of her injuries as described, noting that while a foreign activist is heard shouting that an Israeli is kicking her, the camera is not focused on her at that moment. The council claims Israeli youths are seen helping her up later in the video and points to her hospital documentation showing a bandage on only one finger, contradicting claims of broken legs.

However, The Washington Post reported that another journalist's video documented repeated blows to Levine while she was on the ground. The IDF stated its forces were attempting to disperse a violent gathering and did not observe the photographer's attack, adding that the details of their actions are under review. The police have opened an investigation into the incident.