Photographer Heidi Levine Recounts Violent Attack During Olive Harvest

Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine described the harrowing moments of her attack during an olive harvest near Ramallah, stating she feared for her life and did not think she would survive. Levine, who underwent surgery following the assault, reported that at least 20 masked individuals attacked her, beat her, and robbed her of her equipment. She recounted that the attackers, whom she identified as Jewish settlers, threw her to the ground, kicked and beat her with sticks, and possibly stabbed her. Levine, who has covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over four decades, emphasized that her protective vest and helmet likely saved her life. She also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's account of the incident, calling his statement that she was "allegedly attacked" and that "Israeli youths" helped her up a "complete lie" and the "greatest insult." Levine asserted that no one tried to help her except her colleagues and that Palestinians threw stones to help her colleagues extract her. She stated that if not for the Palestinians' intervention, she likely would have died. Despite the trauma, Levine expressed her determination to continue her work, stating that the attackers could not steal her commitment. She referred to the assailants as "Jewish terrorists" who are damaging the image of everyone living in Israel worldwide. Levine also expressed pessimism about the attackers being brought to justice.