Channel 13Security07:27

Israel Arrests 10 Suspects in Attack on Journalists and Diplomats

Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba

CenterNeutral tone

Hebrew · 12 newsrooms covering

Israeli police arrested ten suspects in the Benjamin region following a violent attack on a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats. Police Commissioner Dani Levi asserted that the law applies to all in Judea and Samaria. Despite the arrests, settler violence continued with attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters and property. The U.S. and EU condemned the attacks and urged Israel to investigate and prevent future incidents.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Ten suspects were arrested by Israeli police in connection with settler violence against a photographer and diplomats in the Benjamin region.
Police Commissioner Dani Levi affirmed that the law applies to everyone in Judea and Samaria.
Settler violence continued after the arrests, with attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters and property.
A criminal investigation is being considered against Rabbi Dov Lior for a ruling permitting the harvesting of Palestinian olives.
The U.S. and EU condemned the violence and called for Israeli accountability and prevention of future attacks.

Israel Arrests 10 Suspects in Attack on Journalists and Diplomats — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israeli police arrested ten suspects on Monday in connection with a violent incident in the Benjamin region over the weekend, where settlers attacked, among others, a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats. The operation, codenamed "Olive Branch," was conducted with the Shin Bet and aerial support. The suspects were transferred for interrogation by the central unit of the Judea and Samaria district and stations in Samaria, with the investigation ongoing.

Police Commissioner Dani Levi stated that "the law in Judea and Samaria applies to everyone, regardless of identity or affiliation." He alluded to insufficient IDF activity, differentiating between the responsibility for preventing incidents and the responsibility for investigation and enforcement afterward. Levi affirmed continued cooperation with all security bodies to strengthen security and the rule of law.

Despite the arrests, violence continued. Shortly after the police announcement, settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah, injuring one man. The attackers also set fire to a vehicle and part of a home before fleeing. Additionally, settlers attempted to set fire to a vehicle and spray graffiti in Beit Ummar, near Hebron, and in Wadi al-Rahim in southern Hebron, where two individuals were documented vandalizing equipment and spraying graffiti.

Separately, a criminal investigation is being considered against Rabbi Dov Lior, a prominent rabbi, for a religious ruling permitting Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian orchards. While some legal sources deem incitement to racism a borderline offense and note no explicit call to violence, a senior law enforcement official believes the ruling constitutes a call to theft and warrants an investigation.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed deep concern over the violent attacks and requested Israel investigate the matter, stating President Trump does not want to see friction in the West Bank. The European Union issued a strong condemnation, urging Israel to comply with international law, cease settlement expansion, and hold perpetrators accountable for violence against Palestinians and journalists, especially during the olive harvest season.

Bernard Bodo, the mayor of Olenoy-Imbris, France, who was part of the attacked diplomatic delegation, described the assault by masked individuals and his own violent treatment. He appealed to the Israeli government to protect them from settlers during the olive harvest, emphasizing its significance for Palestinians.