Israel Vows Not to Let Incident Tarnish Settlers After Photographer Attack

The Prime Minister's Office stated that Israel will not allow controversial incidents to be exploited to "blacken the faces" of law-abiding Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria, following an attack on a Washington Post photographer. The US Embassy had reportedly demanded arrests after the incident. The Prime Minister's Office, in an English statement on X, acknowledged that the facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falih, where photographer Heidi Levine was allegedly attacked, are still unclear and under investigation. Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone, including Jews, Arabs, Christians, or journalists, and those responsible will be held accountable, the statement added.

However, the Prime Minister's Office also sought to shift focus to "Arabs and extreme left-wing activists." It noted that serious questions remain, with reports indicating a confrontation between approximately 200 Arabs and extreme left-wing activists and about 40 young Israelis. Footage shows masked individuals from both sides throwing objects, and reports mention fireworks being fired at the Jewish youths. Another video appears to show Levine being knocked to the ground, with an unidentified person immediately assisting her. No Jewish youths were injured in the incident, which occurred during a Palestinian olive harvest. The Prime Minister's Office emphasized that the investigation must establish the facts, including who initiated the violence, concluding, "The facts must determine the conclusions, not the headlines."