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Settlers attack Palestinians and press during West Bank olive harvest
Israeli settlers used slingshots and rocks to attack Palestinians and journalists during the yearly olive harvest near Ramallah, injuring a Washington Post photojournalist.
In brief
Israeli settlers used slingshots and rocks to attack Palestinians and journalists during the yearly olive harvest near Ramallah, injuring a Washington Post photojournalist. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and journalists with slingshots and rocks during the olive harvest in Abu Falah near Ramallah, injuring…
Settlers attack during olive harvest
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and journalists in Abu Falah, north of Ramallah, using slingshots to hurl rocks from hilltops during the yearly olive harvest.
Olive trees set on fire
Some settlers set fire to olive trees during the clashes, sending smoke billowing across the area. The harvest is a regular flashpoint and source of income for Palestinians.
Washington Post photographer beaten
Veteran Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was attacked despite wearing a flak jacket marked press. Settlers beat her, stole her camera and phone, and kicked her repeatedly.
“I had my flak jacket and my helmet. Otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here because they just kept kicking me, and kicking me in, like, probably 50 times.”
Levine describes masked attackers
Levine told journalists from her hospital bed in Ramallah that she saw at least 50 masked men on a hilltop with slingshots before they ran down and attacked her.
“We saw in the distance in the hilltop, I would say at least 50 masked men.”
IDF fires tear gas and warning shots
Soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces were called to the area and fired tear gas at Palestinians. IDF soldiers also fired warning shots and shots toward a suspect carrying a sharp object.
Surge in settler violence documented
Israeli organisation Yesh Din reported 170 attacks since late September when the olive harvest began. Humanitarian organisations including the UN report a surge in settler violence since October 2023.
Netanyahu condemns violence but minimises it
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned settler violence but claimed it is just a handful of individuals breaking the law. The IDF and Israel Police are regularly criticised for failing to prosecute settlers.
Here's the gist
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and journalists with slingshots and rocks during the olive harvest in Abu Falah near Ramallah, injuring Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine.
