Israel Arrests 10 Suspects in Attack on Journalists and Diplomats
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Israeli police arrested ten suspects in connection with a violent attack on a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats in the Benjamin region. The operation, "Olive Branch," involved the Shin Bet and aerial support. The violence continued with settlers attacking olive harvesters and vandalizing property. The U.S. and France condemned the attacks and called for investigations, while Prime Minister Netanyahu questioned the diplomats' coordination with the IDF.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ten suspects were arrested by Israeli police for attacking a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats in the Benjamin region.
- The arrests were part of an operation codenamed "Olive Branch," conducted with the Shin Bet and aerial support.
- Settlers continued attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters and property after the arrests were announced.
- The U.S. and France condemned the violence and urged Israel to investigate and prevent future incidents.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu questioned the diplomats' lack of prior coordination with the IDF for their visit.
Israeli police arrested ten suspects on Monday in connection with a violent incident in the West Bank's Benjamin region over the weekend, during which settlers attacked a Washington Post photographer and European diplomats. The operation, codenamed "Olive Branch," was conducted with the Shin Bet security agency and aerial support. The suspects were taken for questioning in the Judea and Samaria region.
Police Commissioner Dani Levi stated that the law applies to everyone in the West Bank, regardless of identity or affiliation. He also alluded to insufficient action by the IDF, distinguishing between preventing incidents and investigating them afterward. Levi affirmed continued cooperation with security forces to uphold law and order.
Despite the arrests, violence continued. Shortly after the police announcement, settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah. One harvester was injured, and the attackers set a vehicle and part of a home on fire before fleeing. In other incidents, settlers attempted to set a car ablaze and spray-painted graffiti in Beit Ummar and Wadi al-Rahim in the southern Hebron region.
Separately, a criminal investigation is being considered against Rabbi Dov Lior for issuing a religious ruling permitting Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian orchards. While some legal officials deem incitement charges borderline, a senior law enforcement official indicated the ruling could be interpreted as incitement to theft and warrants an investigation.
The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern over the attacks and requested an investigation from Israel. France's Foreign Ministry condemned the diplomatic convoy attack, urging Israeli authorities to apprehend those responsible and prevent further violence. Bernard Bodo, the mayor of Oulnoye-Immeris and a victim of the attack, described the assault and appealed to the Israeli government for protection from settlers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously questioned the circumstances of the diplomatic convoy's visit, stating they entered a sensitive area without prior coordination with the IDF, which is essential for protection. His office also noted that Bodo, a communist party mayor, had previously flown the Palestinian flag over his city hall, leading to its removal by French authorities. The Prime Minister's office emphasized that the evidence presented did not definitively establish the sequence of events or individual responsibility, and the circumstances were under police investigation.
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