Home · World · Oct 21 archive
Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Civilians and Journalists in West Bank
Confirmed
In Short: Dozens of masked Israeli settlers carried out a coordinated attack on Palestinian civilians and journalists in the West Bank, injuring at least 20 people and setting olive groves on fire.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers carried out a coordinated attack on Palestinian civilians harvesting olives in eight West Bank villages on Friday, injuring at least 20 people and setting olive groves on fire, according to reports from Foreign Policy. The incident occurred amid the annual olive harvest, a critical period for Palestinian farmers.
Among those targeted in the assault was Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was wearing a protective vest marked “PRESS” when she was attacked. Levine told reporters, 'They just kept kicking me and kicking me, like probably 50 times.' She added that the perpetrators, armed with bottles and slingshots, 'were kicking me for like 10 minutes and I was trying to hold onto my cameras and my bag.'
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that Israeli settlers assaulted, threatened, or obstructed at least 35 journalists working in the occupied territory during the first eight months of the year. The Israeli Foreign Press Association stated that Friday’s assault on Levine 'is the latest in a long line of violent attacks by Israeli settlers against journalists and other civilians in the occupied West Bank.'
According to the prime minister’s office, some 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths. However, the prime minister’s office warned against 'premature conclusions' and noted concerns about 'a coordinated campaign to smear Israel.'
The attack occurred a week before a closely fought election in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly treading lightly on the issue to avoid alienating political allies whose support he will need after the ballots are counted. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over recent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, calling the attack on Levine 'disturbing' and 'not a good look'.
The European Union strongly condemned the attack, stating that violence is surging ahead of the 27 October elections. The EU also condemned a previous attack on European diplomats in the West Bank. Palestinian health officials reported that one man, 23-year-old Mahmoud Abdel Qader Saddam, was shot and killed by settlers in the attack, and another Palestinian was critically wounded by gunfire.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met Palestinian American residents who described the impact of the violence on their lives and properties. Huckabee said, 'If there are squatters that come in and put up their own flags and take possession of something that does not belong to them, if they burn a car, if they torch a mosque, if they go into someone’s home and vandalise it, paint graffiti on the walls, that’s a criminal act. But it extends beyond a criminal act. It’s an act of terror.' He added, 'Details of who is under investigation, but those who attacked an unarmed reporter should spend years in prison.'
Levine blamed 'Jewish terrorists' for the attack and said, 'I’ve been covering this region for over 40 years, and I have never seen this country in such a state as it is today.'
What this adds
The attack on journalists and civilians in the West Bank highlights the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, particularly during the olive harvest season. The incident has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns about the safety of journalists and civilians in the occupied territory.
Background
Masked Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats in the West Bank, injuring several and damaging a vehicle.
The West Bank is the larger of the two Palestinian territories that make up Palestine. A landlocked territory located on the western bank of the Jordan River near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia's Levant region, it is bordered by Jordan and the Dead Sea to the east, and by Israel to the south, west, and north.
What's confirmed
- "Attacking a female photographer is a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards," Huckabee wrote on X, taking a far stronger tone than an earlier statement from Washington.
What's still developing
- "According to a preliminary inquiry, no IDF soldiers were present at the scene at the time of the attack," they added.
- The diplomat said on Saturday that the Israeli government has a “responsibility” to ensure the safety of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank after a sharp rise in pogroms.
- “They’re not being held accountable for their actions – endangering Palestinians is a fun activity for them,” Alqam said of the settlers, describing the violence committed as “not a minority” among Israelis.
- Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war.
- Democratic lawmakers in the US are urging the administration of President Donald Trump to follow the lead of Britain and other allies in imposing sanctions and trade restrictions on illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, after 12 countries announced coordinated action against settlement goods.
- “While the Trump admin attacks the move, Congress can & must act,” he wrote on X.
- At least 100 Israeli settlers entered the village at night, some outlets reported, burning homes and cars, shooting at Palestinians and damaging water tankers.
Sources
- Foreignpolicylink
- Timesofisraellink
- Economictimeslink
- BBClink
- Al Jazeeralink
- Dailysabahlink
- Bozemandailychroniclelink
- Trtworldlink
- Scmplink
- Arabnewslink
- Truthoutlink
- RTE.ielink
- Tribuneledgernewslink
- WarpBeat — background on Masked Settlers Attack European Diplomats in West Bank link
- Wikipedia — background on West Bank link
- Associated Press — video link