10 Arrests: Israeli Police Detain Suspects in Violent Settler Attacks Across West Bank

Ten suspects taken into custody

Police said suspects were arrested in a pre-dawn operation connected to the weekend’s violence. They were detained for questioning on suspicion of involvement in violent acts, violating a closed military zone order and illegal construction.

Attacks involved journalist and diplomats

On Friday, masked settlers descended on a Palestinian olive harvest, where some reportedly threw stones with slingshots. The Washington Post photojournalist Levine said masked men wearing tzitzit tassels attacked her. Video also appeared to show two slingshots found at one property.

On Saturday, masked settlers attacked French, Belgian and Polish diplomats and a French mayor in another part of the West Bank. A Belgian diplomatic vehicle was damaged.

Calls for action and accounts differ

The United States urged Israel to crack down on settler violence and arrest those responsible for the attack on the photojournalist. France, Belgium and Poland also called for action after their diplomats were attacked. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and the military blamed “Israeli rioters” for the diplomats’ attack. Saar said the diplomats had entered a “sensitive area with a history of confrontations” without coordinating with the military, while describing the facts of the attack on Levine as “unclear.”

Officials condemn the violence

Police Commissioner Daniel Levy, referring to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, said the law applied to everyone, “regardless of identity or affiliation.” President Isaac Herzog apologised over the attack on Levine. He said the “violent rioters” who “brutally attacked” her did not represent Israel’s values.