Beaten and robbed, Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine says masked settlers target her in occupied West Bank attack

Attack at the olive grove

At least 50 settlers arrived as villagers began harvesting olives, according to journalist and activist Andrey X. He said they carried slingshots and clubs, and later automatic rifles; Reuters witnesses also reported guns.

Footage shared by Andrey X showed masked people beating Levine while she lay on the ground. Levine later said from hospital that she had been pushed down, kicked and robbed of her camera gear, bag and phone.

Andrey X said Palestinians and journalists began retreating, but Levine was left behind. The Washington Post condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation.

Conflicting accounts emerge

The Israeli military said it and the Border Police had been sent to the area after reports of a violent confrontation. It said forces used riot-dispersal means and strongly condemned the incident.

Netanyahu said the assault was under investigation and condemned violence. He said Palestinians and left-wing activists had confronted about 40 Israeli youths, a version that contradicted witness reports and video footage described in the account.

Andrey X said soldiers later entered Abu Falah, where a Palestinian man was reportedly shot and taken to hospital. Palestinian medics said two people were injured and brought to hospitals in the Ramallah area.

Violence during olive harvest

The attack comes amid a record level of deadly settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. More than 230 attacks against the olive harvest have been reported since September.

The West Bank has more than 500,000 Israeli settlers and 3 million Palestinians living under Israeli military rule, while the Palestinian Authority has limited autonomy in scattered enclaves. Israeli military operations and checkpoints have displaced tens of thousands of people and restricted movement.

The United Nations has reported that Israeli forces and settlers killed more than 1,140 Palestinians over the last three years. Violence has risen since Hamas’s October 2023 attacks in southern Israel and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

Regional warnings and reactions

Netanyahu has criticised settler violence, but incidents have prompted international condemnation and plans for sanctions by allies including Britain. Jordan warned this week that Israel was pushing the occupied West Bank toward an explosion that could threaten the region. A briefing note shared with The Independent accused Israel of seeking to recreate Gaza’s security conditions and force Palestinians from their land.