Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians Across West Bank - Injuring Washington Post Photographer

 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives at several locations across the occupied West Bank on Friday, injuring multiple people, including veteran Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, 64, and setting vehicles and olive trees on fire.

The attacks were reported in Abu Falah, north of Ramallah, as well as in Burqa, Beit Ummar, Turmus Ayya and the area around Ramon, east of Ramallah, according to Palestinian medical services and local reports.

Washington Post Photographer Among Those Injured

Levine was injured during an attack on Palestinian olive pickers near the village of Abu Falah. Video footage from the scene appeared to show masked men assaulting her while she was on the ground.

Witnesses said dozens of masked settlers descended from a nearby hilltop outpost toward the olive groves, throwing stones at Palestinian farmers and setting parts of the groves on fire.

Levine, who was wearing protective equipment marked “PRESS,” was taken for medical treatment in the Ramallah area. Speaking after the assault, she described being knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked.

Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation and accountability.

Multiple Attacks Reported Across the West Bank

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported injuries in several locations.

In Abu Falah, three people, including Levine, were reported injured. Five additional Palestinians were reported injured in attacks in Burqa and Beit Ummar.

In Turmus Ayya, vehicles were set ablaze and three people reportedly sustained injuries from beatings. Further attacks targeting olive pickers were reported in the village of Ramon, east of Ramallah.

The incidents occurred during the annual olive harvest, a critical agricultural season for Palestinian communities that depend on olive production for income.

Israeli Police Open Investigations

Israeli police have opened investigations into the incidents in Abu Falah and Turmus Ayya.

The Israel Defense Forces said it was examining the attack on Levine and the conduct of troops at the scene. The military said soldiers and Border Police officers had been deployed to disperse a violent confrontation, using riot-control measures. It also said troops fired warning shots and, at one point, fired toward a person they believed posed a threat.

The IDF condemned violence against civilians, describing attacks on innocent people as “grave and unacceptable.” It added that preventing such incidents required cooperation among multiple authorities.

The military's initial account indicated that the circumstances of the assault on Levine and the actions of the forces present remained under review.

Growing Concerns Over Settler Violence

The assault on Levine has renewed concerns about the safety of journalists covering violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest.

Levine is an experienced conflict photographer who has covered the Middle East and other conflict zones for decades. The attack comes amid a series of incidents in which journalists and Palestinian farmers have been targeted while documenting or participating in the harvest.

According to Reuters, the Israeli monitoring group Yesh Din reported at least 170 settler attacks since September 27, around the start of the olive harvest.

The latest incidents are likely to intensify scrutiny of Israeli law-enforcement efforts to prevent settler violence and ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians and journalists.