# Heidi Levine saved by Palestinian youths in West Bank attack

> Palestinian youths shielded US journalist from Israeli settlers in West Bank.
- Title: Heidi Levine saved by Palestinian youths in West Bank attack
- Summary: Palestinian youths shielded US journalist from Israeli settlers in West Bank. US photojournalist Heidi Levine survived settler attack in West Bank after…
- Keywords: breaking, heidi levine, palestinian youths, israeli settlers, west bank, abu falah, olive harvest, journalist safety, us photojournalist, settlement violence, israeli army, shabab
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/21/heidi-levine-palestinians-israeli-settler-attack-west-bank
- Published: 2026-10-21T17:59:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: breaking, heidi levine, palestinian youths, israeli settlers, west bank, abu falah, olive harvest, journalist safety, us photojournalist, settlement violence, israeli army, shabab
## Heidi Levine attacked in West Bank
US photojournalist Heidi Levine was beaten by masked Israeli settlers during olive harvest in Palestinian village of Abu Falah.

> i probably would have been dead, because for sure it doesn’t take much to kill a person with blows to the head
## Levine's injuries
Levine sustained four fractured vertebrae, two broken ribs and four puncture wounds from the attack.

> i managed to keep my face to the ground, and i don’t know if i took that position to protect myself with my face down or it was their initial blow
## Palestinian youths intervened
Young Palestinian men used slingshots to aim stones at settlers, creating a protective shield for Levine.

> the shabab put themselves in front and were trying to keep them away, keep a protective shield
## Levine's response
Levine vowed to return to West Bank reporting despite injuries and criticized Netanyahu's comments on the incident.

> my work is important, they have bruised me, broken some bones, but they haven’t cracked my spirit
## Netanyahu's statement
Netanyahu's office cast doubt on witness accounts, claiming video showed Levine being helped by an unidentified individual.

> they helped me up because they couldn’t get my things off of me
## Levine's confidence in justice
Levine expressed low confidence in justice, saying attackers would likely face only house arrest without leadership accountability.

> i am not very hopeful, of course, if the government made the decision to do something and crack down on this and get people arrested, they would do it
## Arrests and court action
Israeli police arrested 10 suspects after the attack, with four released under house arrest by Wednesday's court ruling.

> they robbed me of everything i have, a pouch with my documents, my american passport, credit card, camera disk and a small camera bag with two other lenses
## Aftermath
Levine received letters of regret from Israelis and an apologetic call from president Herzog, but criticized the lack of justice.

> he was a teddy bear on the phone, he kept saying i just want to give you a big hug and these are not representative of who this country is
## Key takeaway

US photojournalist Heidi Levine survived settler attack in West Bank after Palestinian youths used slingshots to protect her.