Settler Attack in West Bank

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers carried out a mass coordinated attack on Palestinian civilians harvesting olives in eight West Bank villages on Friday.

Injured Journalist

Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was wearing a protective vest marked 'PRESS' when attacked and is being treated for a broken rib and multiple lacerations.

Levine's Account

Levine told reporters, 'They just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times'.

“They just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times”

Journalist Targeting

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported 35 journalists assaulted, threatened, or obstructed by Israeli settlers in occupied territory during first eight months of this year.

Recent Attack

Palestinian AFP photojournalist Jaafar Ashtiyeh was attacked by armed Israeli settlers outside Nablus on Oct. 6.

Israeli Foreign Press Association

The Israeli Foreign Press Association called Friday’s assault on Levine 'the latest in a long line of violent attacks by Israeli settlers against journalists and other civilians'.

Netanyahu's Response

Netanyahu vowed to investigate the incident but stopped short of condemning settler violence.

Settler Violence Context

Between January and August of this year, the UN documented more than 1,600 settler attacks in the West Bank and at least 76 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers.

Olive Harvest Target

Settler attacks routinely target the annual fall olive harvest, which is traditionally done by Palestinian families and is a vital source of income for many Palestinians.

New Restrictions

Israel imposed new restrictions on the olive harvest, prohibiting Palestinians from harvesting trees in Area C without military approval.

Area C Definition

Most of the West Bank’s agricultural land is in Area C, a part of the West Bank under Israeli military control.

Netanyahu's Investigation

Netanyahu’s office said it is investigating the most recent spate of attacks including the assault on Levine.

Netanyahu's Statement

The prime minister’s office wrote on X that reports indicate 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths.

Opposition Reaction

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X that Jewish terror attacks against the Washington Post photographer are not a failure of the government, they are the government’s policy.