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Palestinians and US journalist injured by Israeli settlers in West Bank harvest attack
Overview
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and set fire to cars and olive trees during the annual olive harvest near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank. A BBC team witnessed the violence, which left 12 Palestinians injured—including four dual Palestinian-American citizens—and American journalist Heidi Levine hurt after being ambushed while reporting. The UN reports that recent settler attacks during the harvest have killed one Palestinian and injured over 120 others.
Key points
- Dozens of masked settlers attacked Palestinian farmers, burning cars and olive trees near Abu Falah in the West Bank.
- A local official stated that 12 Palestinians were injured, including four dual Palestinian-American citizens.
- American journalist Heidi Levine of the Washington Post was attacked, kicked, and injured while reporting at the scene.
- The UN reports that settler attacks during the current harvest season have killed one Palestinian and injured over 120 others.
- The US State Department condemned the violence and called for investigations, arrests, and convictions.
- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that personnel were deployed following reports of a violent confrontation and that circumstances would be examined.