Settlers Attack Olive Harvesters and a Washington Post Photographer in the West Bank
Palestinian authorities reported attacks in eight villages. Netanyahu's office condemned violence against anyone but said the facts were unclear; the Post demanded accountability.
By Watchman Report staff ·
Masked Israeli settlers carrying clubs and other weapons attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in several West Bank villages Friday, burning cars and trees, The Guardian reported. Palestinian authorities recorded attacks in eight villages and at least 20 people injured. Near Turmus Ayya, settlers burned three cars. In Abu Falah, near Ramallah, at least 80 settlers, some armed, used slingshots to hurl rocks at farmers within view of Israeli military vehicles; when some Palestinians picked up rocks to defend themselves, the military fired tear gas in their direction.
Among the injured was Heidi Levine, an American photojournalist for The Washington Post. Witnesses said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes, and settlers stole her passport, phone, wallet and equipment. "I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here," she said from a hospital bed in Ramallah. The Post said she wore visible press markings and called for accountability. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office condemned "violence against anyone" but said the facts were unclear and under investigation, and suggested the confrontation involved "200 Arabs and far-left activists." U.S. lawmakers condemned the attack.
The Israeli rights group Yesh Din has counted at least 170 settler attacks since Sept. 27, around the start of the harvest. Palestinian officials say at least four Palestinians have been killed and more than 100 injured over the past month. This year Israel barred Palestinians from entering about 8,800 hectares of farmland in Area C without military approval, a 30% increase over last year. The Foreign Press Association in Israel said its repeated calls for action against such attacks on journalists and civilians have been ignored.
Everything above this line is reported fact, attributed to the sources listed. The Scripture Connection is our interpretation, offered by Christians who read the whole Bible, Old and New Testament, with an Israelite-rooted understanding.
