West Bank attack leaves US journalist injured as Israeli settlers face investigation
Attack near Abu Falah
The Washington Post said Levine was on assignment near Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, when dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers gathering the autumn olive harvest. The newspaper said Levine was injured in the incident.
Levine later spoke from a hospital bed and said attackers pushed her down and kicked her. She said her flak jacket and helmet may have protected her. She was reported to be in stable condition.
Blogger Andrey Khrzhanovskiy, who filmed the incident, told the Post that settlers beat Levine with sticks as journalists and villagers were pushed back. The Foreign Press Association said her passport, phone, wallet and equipment were stolen.
Accounts remain disputed
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the facts surrounding the confrontation were unclear and under investigation. It cited reports of about 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronting approximately 40 Israeli youths, and said footage showed masked people from both sides hurling objects.
Netanyahu's office said other footage appeared to show Levine being knocked down and then helped up by an unidentified person. It said investigators needed to determine what happened, including who started the violence.
The Israel Defense Forces said its forces and the Israel Border Police attended the scene, where a female journalist was injured. The IDF said the forces dispersed the confrontation using riot dispersal means and condemned the incident.
Calls for accountability
Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray called for an investigation and follow-through by authorities. He said Levine had visible markings identifying her as a journalist and that she had received medical care and was safe.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons called the attack appalling and urged swift justice. The Foreign Press Association said its calls for action over attacks on journalists and civilians had been ignored by Israeli authorities.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the attack and called on Israeli authorities to end impunity and prosecute those responsible. It described the violence as evidence of extremist settlers operating with impunity, often under Israeli protection.
Key points
- Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist and US citizen, was injured near Abu Falah.
- The Post said masked Israeli settlers attacked villagers harvesting autumn olives.
- Israeli officials said the circumstances were unclear and under investigation.
- Press groups, US officials and lawmakers called for accountability.