Settlers Attack Palestinian Farmers, Injure American Journalist
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Abu Falah on Friday, burning olive trees and throwing stones during the olive harvest. The assault injured at least two people, including American photographer Heidi Levine, who was hospitalized. A human rights group reported a significant rise in settler violence since late September. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Abu Falah, burning olive trees and throwing stones.
- American photographer Heidi Levine was injured during the settler attack in the West Bank village.
- Levine stated settlers repeatedly kicked her, crediting her protective gear for saving her life.
- Palestinian farmers retaliated by throwing stones in self-defense against the settlers.
- Settler violence in the West Bank has seen at least 170 attacks since the start of the olive harvest.
- A similar settler attack earlier on Friday near Turmus Ayya resulted in three burned cars.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers, some carrying gas canisters and wearing black clothing, attacked Palestinian farmers in the West Bank village of Abu Falah on Friday, burning olive trees and throwing stones. The assault, which occurred during the annual olive harvest season, resulted in at least two injuries, including an American photographer for The Washington Post, Heidi Levine.
Witnesses reported that approximately 80 settlers descended from a hill overlooking an olive grove where villagers had gathered to collect ripe fruit. The settlers positioned themselves in front of olive trees on the slopes and used slingshots to hurl stones at the Palestinian villagers below. The villagers retaliated by throwing stones back at the settlers in self-defense.
Mutaz Abd al-Hadi, a 42-year-old farmer who witnessed the attack, stated that the settlers' aim was to attack Palestinians and force them to leave their homes. Palestinian medics confirmed that two individuals were injured and transported to hospitals in the Ramallah area. Levine, who was among the injured, was seen in a video lying on the ground with her hands over her face as settlers surrounded her.
Speaking from her hospital bed, Levine described being attacked, pushed to the ground, and repeatedly kicked. She credited her protective vest and helmet for saving her life, stating, "I was attacked and pushed to the ground. Luckily I have my vest and helmet because without them I probably wouldn't be here because they kept kicking me over and over. 50 times. Animals." Her condition is stable, and her injuries included a bandaged left hand. She added that her Palestinian colleagues intervened, and medics then transported her to a clinic and then a hospital.
The Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din reported that settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has escalated, with at least 170 attacks recorded since September 27, the start of the olive harvest season. The Abu Falah incident followed a similar attack earlier on Friday near the village of Turmus Ayya, where settlers burned three cars after assaulting farmers harvesting olives. The Israeli military had not yet responded to a request for comment.
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