From Al Jazeera · Mohamed Alzanin · · 2m
Al Jazeera investigation challenges Israeli account of settler attack
An investigation into an attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine contradicts official Israeli narratives about what happened and who was responsible.
In brief
An investigation into an attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine contradicts official Israeli narratives about what happened and who was responsible. Al Jazeera's investigation found that Israeli settlers coordinated an attack on Palestinian olive harvesters and American photojournalist Heidi Levine on October…
American photojournalist attacked by settlers
On October 16, American photojournalist Heidi Levine, 63, was attacked by Israeli settlers while photographing Palestinian olive harvesters in Khirbet Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Levine's injuries despite press credentials
The attack left Levine with a broken rib, four fractured vertebrae, and wounds requiring hand surgery, despite wearing a clearly marked press vest.
Al Jazeera investigation methodology
Al Jazeera's Data Journalism Unit analysed more than twenty videos and photos taken by journalists and witnesses, verified footage chronologically, and mapped key locations using geospatial analysis.
Attack location and settler outpost
The attack on Levine was mapped at coordinates thirty-two degrees zero one minutes thirteen point five seconds north, thirty-five degrees eighteen minutes forty point seven seconds east, approximately four hundred fifty-five metres southwest of an…
Settler gathering pattern before attacks
A local journalist said that while only a few settlers typically reside in the outpost, during any incident fifty to one hundred settlers from other outposts gather there before descending on the fields.
Timeline of escalation before attack
Around eight am a four by four vehicle carrying settlers headed towards the site, followed by six motorcycles. By nine am about thirty settlers were gathering near the farmers.
Military vehicles passed without intervening
Al Jazeera correspondent Tharwat Shaqra said Israeli military vehicles passed through the area, and after their passage, settlers headed towards journalists and farmers as if it were a green light.
“as if it were a green light”
Palestinian youth provided cover for Levine
American journalist Jasper Nathaniel, who helped pull Levine away, wrote that Palestinian youth provided cover with stones facing settlers and soldiers with machine guns and tear gas.
“The only reason I was able to get to Heidi is because Palestinian youth provided cover with stones facing settlers and soldiers with machine guns and tear gas.”
Netanyahu's office questions settler involvement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said facts surrounding the confrontation remain unclear and cited reports of some two hundred Arabs and far-left activists confronting approximately forty Israeli youths.
US Ambassador demands accountability
United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee demanded that those who attacked the unarmed reporter should spend years in prison, calling it a despicable act of terror.
“those who attacked unarmed reporter should spend YRS in prison”
The takeaway
Al Jazeera's investigation found that Israeli settlers coordinated an attack on Palestinian olive harvesters and American photojournalist Heidi Levine on October 16 in the occupied West Bank, contradicting Israeli government claims.
