Israeli Settlers Attack Washington Post Journalist and Palestinian Olive Harvesters in West Bank

A Washington Post photojournalist was among those assaulted by Israeli settlers on Friday while accompanying Palestinian villagers during their olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. The Post reported that "dozens of masked settlers" initiated a "co-ordinated assault," setting fire to shrubs and hurling rocks at the villagers.

Freelancer Heidi Levine, who was wearing a vest clearly marked "Press," was reportedly knocked to the ground, kicked multiple times, and had her cameras and phone taken. She was subsequently transported to a hospital in Ramallah, where images showed her on a trolley with a wound dressing on her left leg and a gash on her right knee, among other injuries.

Speaking to reporters from the hospital, Levine stated, "I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily I had [on] my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here, because they just kept kicking me and kicking me."

Witnesses reported seeing approximately 80 settlers, some carrying gas canisters, descend upon the olive grove where Palestinians from Abu Falah village had gathered. Reuters quoted farmer Moutaz Abdelhadi, a witness, saying, "The settlers want to attack us and force us from our homes." The Israeli military was present, but the attack persisted. Rights groups, witnesses, and victims have documented instances where settlers allegedly received protection from the Israeli army.

Live gunfire was heard in the vicinity, and at least one settler was observed firing a gun, according to Reuters. The official olive harvest season commenced on Thursday, but Palestinian farmers had been in their groves for weeks, concerned about potential theft by Israeli settlers who have reportedly used social media to encourage the stealing of olives.

Violence in the West Bank has escalated significantly since October 7, 2023, reaching its highest recorded level since 2006 last year, according to the UN. While September was the most violent month of the current year, attacks have sharply increased in October. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled) noted an average of 39 incidents per day between October 1 and October 9, a notable rise from approximately 20 per day in September.