Washington Post photojournalist undergoes surgery after settler attack, demands arrests - interview

Israel-based Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine underwent surgery at Beilinson Hospital on Saturday after being attacked by Jewish rioters during an olive harvest in the Binyamin region of the West Bank on Friday, Walla reported on Saturday.Levine, whose condition was described as moderate, sustained injuries to her limbs, according to medical information provided. Speaking to Walla, she said she had also suffered injuries to her back and a rib, describing a prolonged assault during which her cameras and personal belongings were stolen.She alleged that IDF soldiers witnessed the attack but did not intervene to protect her.Days before the assault, Levine had returned from covering the war in Ukraine. On her way back to Israel, she traveled through Poland, where she met her son. She recalled that even then, he had told her he was more concerned about her work in the West Bank than her coverage of the war in Ukraine.That fear manifested on Friday during the olive harvest in Binyamin.'They slammed me to the ground and kicked me again and again'According to Levine, the two sides had been relatively evenly matched before the soldiers arrived. She alleged that when the soldiers reached the scene, they fired tear gas toward the journalists and Palestinians, causing those present to disperse.Levine said she was then left alone."At that point, they realized I was alone and decided to attack me," she recounted.According to Levine, approximately 15 rioters ran toward her, assaulted her, and stole her cameras, photography equipment, identification documents, and jewelry."They slammed me to the ground and kicked me again and again and again, while stealing everything from me," she said.Levine alleged that the soldiers witnessed the assault but did nothing to stop it or separate her from her attackers."Fifteen people are beating a woman. Why didn't they help me? Do they care where the woman is from? Whether she's from Poland? Or American? To understand that they need to save her?" she said.Following the attack, Levine received treatment at a hospital in Ramallah. She was subsequently transported in a Palestinian ambulance to a checkpoint, where she was transferred to an Israeli ambulance for the journey to Beilinson Hospital.She said military personnel questioned her during the transfer, describing the treatment she received there as "pretty disgusting."Levine underwent surgery on her left hand on Saturday morning. According to her account, doctors had to stitch numerous deep cuts.She also said four vertebrae in her back and a posterior rib had been fractured, despite her wearing a protective vest and helmet during the assault.Her son, Michael, told Walla, "My mother went through a very frightening lynching as a woman, regardless of politics."He said her back was expected to take weeks to heal.Michael added that this was not the first time his mother had been attacked while working as a journalist.According to him, her vehicle had previously been set on fire, overturned in another incident, and, on a separate occasion, a settler punched her.He alleged that none of those incidents had received an adequate response.Netanyahu calls for investigation as Levine demands arrestsPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident on Friday, saying that "those responsible will be brought to justice."However, in a post on X/Twitter, Netanyahu wrote that many facts surrounding the incident had yet to be established.The Prime Minister's Office: The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation. Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone—Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists. Those responsible will be held accountable. But serious questions remain. Reports indicate some 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths. Footage shows masked individuals on both sides hurling objects, amid reports of fireworks fired at Jewish youths. Other footage appears to show Levine knocked down and immediately helped to her feet by the same unidentified individual. The investigation must establish the facts, including who initiated the violence. We will not allow disputed incidents to be exploited to demonize the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. The facts must determine the conclusions. Not the headlines.— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 16, 2026He cited a report claiming that approximately 200 Arabs and left-wing activists had confronted 40 young Israelis, saying the investigation should determine who initiated the violence.Levine expressed disappointment with his response, saying she felt Netanyahu was casting doubt on the credibility of her account.She called for a thorough investigation and arrests, demanding that authorities stop allowing lawbreakers to operate without interference.Levine also categorically rejected a claim by the Yesha Council that a young Israeli had helped her during the incident."That is a blatant lie," she told Walla.According to Levine, the video presented to support the council's account had been edited in a way intended to reinforce its version of events and did not reflect the assault she described.On Saturday, hundreds of former senior defense, police, and judicial officials, along with academics and business leaders, published a letter supporting Levine.Among the signatories were former IDF chief of staff and defense minister Moshe Ya'alon, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo, former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ami Ayalon, and former Israel Police commissioner Moshe Karadi.The signatories expressed solidarity with Levine, concern for her well-being, and wishes for a speedy recovery.According to Levine, her son spoke with the US deputy secretary of state, who told him the United States would keep pressing for a thorough investigation and expected arrests.Now, from her hospital bed, Levine is making the same demand: that the attack not end with another condemnation, but with an investigation that results in those responsible being brought to justice.