West Bank: US journalist injured by Israeli settlers
Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine was injured on Friday after being attacked by a group of Israeli settlers while on assignment in the occupied West Bank , according to the publication. The Post said that the incident took place near the village of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, and involved "dozens of masked Israeli settlers" who attacked Palestinian villagers gathering the autumn olive harvest. Washington Post says Levine clearly identifiable Matt Murray, the paper's executive editor, called for an investigation into the incident.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article says settlers attacked villagers gathering olives but never says that they set olive trees and a car on fire or that Palestinian men were wounded. Without this a reader believes the only person hurt was the journalist, which leaves room for Netanyahu's office's 'confrontation' between two sides.
How we know
- Common Dreams reported“at least two Palestinian men were reportedly wounded in the attack”Israeli Settlers Brutally Beat Washington Post Journalist Heidi Levine While Attacking Palestinian Olive Farmers (opens in a new tab)
- The Guardian reported“burning cars and trees and injuring Palestinians and a Washington Post photographer”Israeli settlers attack olive farmers and Washington Post journalist in West Bank (opens in a new tab)
- CNN reported“flame pouring out of a burning car with Palestinian license plates”Washington Post journalist hospitalized after Israeli settler attack on Palestinian olive harvest in West Bank (opens in a new tab)
"This morning, a Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, was attacked by Israeli settlers while reporting in the West Bank,” Murray said. Levine is a US citizen. "She was wearing visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist. While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities."
Speaking from a hospital bed later, veteran photojournalist Levine, who is in stable condition, said: "I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here, because they just kept kicking me and kicking me." Blogger Andrey Khrzhanovskiy filmed the incident and told The Post that the settlers beat Levine with sticks while journalists and villagers were forced back. Palestinian American watches as West Bank house under siege To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Netanyahu's office says facts 'remain unclear' The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying it was not yet clear exactly what had happened.
"The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation. Netanyahu's office went on to say there were reports that "some 200 Arabs and far-left activists confronted approximately 40 Israeli youths." It said that there was footage of masked individuals from both sides "hurling objects." "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," Netanyahu's office said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that both the IDF and the Israel Border Police attended the scene. "Foreign media personnel were present at the scene and a female journalist was injured during the confrontation. All details of the incident will be examined. Upon arriving to the scene, the forces acted to disperse the confrontation using riot dispersal means," the IDF said in a statement on X. "The IDF strongly condemns this incident.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article prints the army's claim that its forces arrived and 'acted to disperse the confrontation'. It never says that settlers attacked the farmers in view of Israeli military vehicles, that soldiers fired teargas towards Palestinians who picked up rocks to defend themselves, or that soldiers blocked the road. Without this a reader believes Israeli occupation forces stepped in to stop the settler attack.
How we know
- The Guardian reported“When some of the Palestinians then picked up rocks to defend themselves, the Israeli military fired teargas in their direction.”Israeli settlers attack olive farmers and Washington Post journalist in West Bank (opens in a new tab)
- CNN reported“Another video shows Israeli soldiers blocking the road.”Washington Post journalist hospitalized after Israeli settler attack on Palestinian olive harvest in West Bank (opens in a new tab)
- On the recordWest Bank settlers operate armed by the Israeli state and accompanied by the Israeli army.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)
Attempts to incite friction between populations undermine security in the area," the IDF said. US condemns 'criminal violence' The US said it condemned "criminal violence by any party" in the occupied West Bank. "We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and support appropriate investigations as well as legal accountability for those responsible," the AFP news agency quoted a State Department official as saying, on condition of anonymity, without directly criticizing the settlers.
"The Department has reached out to the Washington Post to offer consular assistance," the official told AFP. US Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Connecticut, in a post on X, called the attack "appalling" and said "there must be swift justice and accountability for perpetrators of violent extremism in the West Bank, which stands in the way of regional peace and is escalating an already unpredictable and dangerous situation." EU to impose new sanctions against Israeli settlers To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Attack condemned by press association and advocacy group The Foreign Press Association represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories and said Levine's passport, phone, wallet and equipment were stolen by the attackers.
"This is the latest in a long line of violent attacks by Israeli settlers against journalists and other civilians in the occupied West Bank," it said. "Yet our repeated calls for action to confront this lawlessness have been ignored by Israeli authorities," it added. International press watchdog Reporters Without Borders strongly condemned the attack and called on Israeli authorities to "put an end to this impunity and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous assault."
"This brazen violence... is evidence of the impunity with which extremist Jewish settlers operate, often under the protection of Israeli armed forces," added the advocacy group, known by its French initials RSF. Edited by: Wesley Dockery Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first.
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