In west bank, photographer attacked by settlers feels insulted by netanyahu over ‘alleged’ label

Levine criticizes Netanyahu’s response

Heidi Levine, a photographer with The Washington Post, said Sunday that she was increasingly angry because Israel’s military seemed to protect settlers more than Palestinians they threaten. She was recovering in hospital after an attack during the olive harvest left several vertebrae broken.

Levine told The Associated Press that Netanyahu’s description of the attack as alleged left her “shocked and insulted.” She said the prime minister had the evidence available, and added that she had not heard from him. Levine said she had covered the region for more than 40 years and had never seen the country in its current condition. She blamed Jewish terrorists for Thursday’s attack.

Attack draws official condemnation

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog called Levine, while opposition Democrats party leader Yair Golan visited her. Levine described Herzog as “very sweet” and said he called the attackers thugs and expressed shame over what had happened.

The letter said the attacks harmed Israel’s standing and security, and argued that a fundamental policy change was needed to end the phenomenon. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the assault on Levine a “despicable act of terror” and said those responsible should spend years in prison.

Wider violence during harvest

The attack on Levine and Palestinians came during the olive harvest, which began in late September. Rights groups say hundreds of Palestinians have been attacked and a few killed during this harvest, while olive trees important to Palestinian history and heritage have been destroyed.

A day after Levine’s attack, European diplomats were attacked in a Christian village. The incidents have again drawn attention to settler violence, which Netanyahu has attributed to a small number of troublemakers.

Netanyahu faces the issue two weeks before close elections that could end his time in power. Much of the world considers West Bank settlements illegal, while construction and expansion continue.

Questions over protection and accountability

Levine said her attackers used bottles and slingshots and kicked her for about 10 minutes as she tried to hold on to her cameras and bag. She had injuries that included apparent stab wounds to her buttocks, which required stitches; she said police had provided no new information about the case.

Her helmet and protective vest marked PRESS likely helped prevent more serious injuries. Levine said her focus had been on documenting Palestinians and described the violence as growing more dangerous.

Rights groups say few settlers are punished for attacks that have surged in recent years. Levine and others have questioned who will protect Palestinians.