Gaza Genocide14 April, 20261 min read
Italian Magazine Sparks Israeli Diplomatic Backlash With Settler Abuse Cover
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Cover depicts armed Israeli settler grinning at a distressed Palestinian woman. Photograph captured near Hebron during October 2025 olive harvest by Masturzo, triggering diplomatic Israeli backlash.
L'Espresso Cover Sparks Backlash
The Italian magazine L'Espresso ignited a diplomatic firestorm with its April 2026 cover titled "L'Abuso". The image featured an armed Israeli settler grinning at a distressed Palestinian woman. Israel's ambassador to Italy described the cover as manipulative and distorting reality.
L'Espresso responded by releasing video footage confirming the photograph's authenticity. The cover explores the expansion of settlements and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Photograph Context and Reaction
The photograph was taken on the first day of the olive harvest west of Hebron. An armed group of Israeli settlers arrived alongside soldiers and prevented Palestinians from harvesting their own olives. The settler in the photo repeatedly mimicked the sounds the Palestinian woman used to herd her flock.
Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers in the West Bank have killed at least 1,133 Palestinians. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal.
Shifting Israeli Narrative
Initially, Israeli commentators dismissed the photograph as likely AI-generated. After video footage was released, the Israeli narrative shifted to accusations of antisemitism.
Israel's Ambassador to Rome accused L'Espresso of using the image manipulatively. The controversy highlights the sensitive nature of media portrayals in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.