Israeli Settlers Beat Washington Post Photographer Heidi Levine During Olive Harvest Near Ramallah

Olive harvest violence

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and journalists during the olive harvest in the village of Abu Falah north of Ramallah, and the attacks included slingshots and rocks as smoke billowed across the area. Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, was beaten by settlers, who stole her camera and phone, before she was taken to hospital in Ramallah after other journalists rushed to her aid.

Levine hospitalised6 of 6 outlets reported it▾

Levine told journalists in hospital, "We saw in the distance in the hilltop, I would say at least 50 masked men," and she said the attackers used slingshots to hurl rocks at her as they ran down. Levine also said, "I had a 500 millimetre lens that you could see the mask with slingshots," describing how she was attacked after the masked men descended.

Reporting for this sectionABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

IDF and Netanyahu responses

The Israeli Defense Force said it would examine "all circumstances surrounding the incident" after settlers attacked Palestinians and journalists around Abu Falah. The IDF said, "Upon arriving at the scene, the forces acted to disperse the confrontation using riot dispersal means," and it added that soldiers fired warning shots into the air and toward a suspect carrying a sharp object.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said his country condemned violence against anyone but said the circumstances around the attacks in Abu Falah "remain unclear," and it posted that "serious questions remain". Matt Murray, The Washington Post executive editor, said the paper was "outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job" and urged a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.

Reporting for this sectionABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Injuries and wider impact

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams treated two Palestinians who were beaten during the attack in Abu Falah, including a 63-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, and it said the injured were transferred to a hospital.

Akhir Khabr reported that at least eight people were injured, including an American journalist and a member of the Palestinian Civil Defense, in attacks carried out by Israeli settlers across the West Bank.

Heidi Levine said, "I was attacked and knocked to the ground. Fortunately, I was wearing a protective vest and a helmet; otherwise I might not be here today, as they continued to kick me repeatedly."

The Palestinian Civil Defense said one of its members was injured with bruises when Israeli settlers attacked a rescue crew responding to a fire that broke out in three Palestinian vehicles in the town of Turmusayya, north of Ramallah.

Reporting for this sectionAkhir Khabr