Washington Post Photographer Attacked in West Bank Undergoes Surgery
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was severely injured and underwent surgery after being attacked by Jewish assailants during an olive harvest in the Benjamin region. Her daughter fears the injury may end her career. Hundreds of former security officials have signed a letter of support for Levine. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated those responsible will be held accountable, but also noted that many facts are still unclear.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was severely injured and underwent surgery after an attack during an olive harvest.
- Levine's daughter expressed concern the injury could end her mother's career as a journalist.
- Dozens of former Israeli security, police, and judicial officials signed a letter supporting Levine.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed accountability for the attackers but noted facts are still unclear.
- Levine was reportedly attacked by approximately 15 masked individuals during the incident.
Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, who was attacked by Jewish assailants during an olive harvest in the Benjamin region, underwent surgery on Saturday and has begun her recovery. Her daughter, Dr. Ashley Milner, told Kan News that one of Levine's fingers was "almost torn from its place" and expressed concern that the injury could end her career as a journalist.
Milner stated that her mother sustained severe injuries, including four broken vertebrae in her back and a broken rib, requiring surgery. Levine, who has covered wars since 1983, reportedly believed it was a routine workday when approximately 15 masked individuals with sidelocks attacked her, throwing her to the ground, beating her with clubs and nails, and kicking her repeatedly. An American journalist named Jasper is credited with rescuing her and helping her escape.
The family is also concerned about Levine's psychological state, noting she is in trauma and feels betrayed after decades of covering conflicts worldwide. Milner added that the family finds it particularly difficult to see online accusations that Levine is a leftist and deserved the attack, emphasizing her sole intention was to do her job. The focus is now on her recovery, though the family acknowledges the injury could be life-altering.
Earlier on Saturday, hundreds of former senior security, police, and judicial officials, along with academics and business figures, published a letter of support for Levine. Signatories included former IDF chief of staff and defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon, and former Police Commissioner Moshé Karadi, expressing solidarity and wishing her a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident on Friday, stating that "those responsible will be held accountable." However, in a post on X, he refrained from assigning blame to any specific group, writing that "many facts have yet to be clarified," and citing reports of a confrontation between "about 200 Arabs and left-wing activists" and "40 Israeli youths," adding that the investigation must determine who initiated the violence.
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