Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine injured in West Bank olive harvest attack
Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near Abu Falah on 16 October. Levine was among those injured, and the Israeli military says it will examine the circumstances.
Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was injured on 16 October when Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank. The attack also injured Palestinian harvesters and disrupted the annual harvest; reports give differing injury counts.
Reuters journalists at the scene reported that about 80 settlers, some carrying gas canisters, came down from a hill above the olive grove. Some used slings to throw rocks at villagers, who retreated down the hill before throwing stones back. The BBC, whose team witnessed an attack near Abu Falah, described dozens of masked settlers and reported that cars and olive trees were set alight.
Heidi Levine’s account and the Washington Post’s response
Levine told the BBC that settlers knocked her to the ground and kicked her while she tried to hold on to her camera and bag. She said her helmet and protective vest helped protect her, and that the assault lasted at least 10 minutes. The Washington Post said she had been visibly identified as a journalist and called for authorities to investigate thoroughly and follow through.
The number of people injured remains unclear. The Guardian, citing the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, reported at least six injured in Abu Falah. Reuters said medics reported two people taken to hospitals in the Ramallah area. A local official told the BBC that attacks injured 12 Palestinians, including four with dual Palestinian American citizenship; the BBC’s account covered attacks in the wider area.
Israeli military response and attacks during the harvest
Reuters reported that Israeli military vehicles arrived while the confrontation was continuing and that soldiers fired tear gas towards Palestinians. The military said troops deployed after a report of a violent confrontation, fired warning shots and, at one point, fired towards someone they believed posed a threat. The BBC reported that the military said it would examine the circumstances of Levine’s injury.
A Reuters photographer saw at least one armed settler fire a gun. The BBC reported hearing live gunfire but said it was unclear whether settlers or Israeli forces had fired it. Earlier on 16 October, settlers attacked olive harvesters near Turmus Ayya and burned three cars, according to Reuters and the Guardian.
The Israeli rights group Yesh Din has recorded at least 170 settler attacks since 27 September, around the start of the olive harvest, according to Reuters and the Guardian. The BBC reported that the UN counted one Palestinian killed and more than 120 injured in settler attacks across the West Bank during this year’s harvest. Those figures describe the wider violence, rather than the toll at Abu Falah.
Read in depth: World
First Guangdong yachts arrive in Hong Kong under new southbound scheme
Five yachts from Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Guangzhou entered Hong Kong under new cross-boundary rules for mainland leisure vessels.
UK ban on specified strangulation and incest pornography takes effect in November
The government says new offences covering possession and publication of specified pornography will take effect in England and Wales on 6 November.
Sources and context
- Israeli settlers attack olive farmers and Washington Post journalist in West BankThe Guardian; reporting by William Christou
- Israeli settlers burn olive trees, injure journalist in West Bank attackReuters, republished by Al-Monitor; reporting by Pesha Magid, Ismael Khader, Ali Sawafta and Ammar Awad
- Palestinians and US journalist injured by Israeli settlers in West Bank harvest attackBBC; reporting by Lucy Williamson and team reporting from Abu Falah
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.