Settlers attacked Palestinians and an American journalist during the olive harvest in the West Bank

The key facts

Dozens of masked settlers attacked farmers near Abu Falah, set fire to cars and olive trees; 12 Palestinians injured, including four Palestinian-American citizens
Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine, who was working at the scene, described being beaten for at least 10 minutes; the newspaper is demanding an investigation
UN: more attacks in two weeks than during the entire last season; this year one Palestinian killed, more than 120 injured

Attack during the harvest

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and set fire to cars and olive trees during the annual olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. A BBC team witnessed one of several attacks on agricultural land near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah. According to a local official, 12 Palestinians were injured in the attacks, including four people with dual Palestinian-American citizenship. Among the injured was also a foreign journalist.

Testimonies of the victims

Wounded farmer Majdi Fhid, a US citizen, told the BBC that he was attacked by about 15 people armed with weapons and stones; according to Yasser Alkama, a council member of the neighboring village of Turmus Ayya, he was beaten with sticks studded with nails and needed treatment for deep head wounds. His elderly mother was also hurt. Another man, who was driving the wounded to hospital, said settlers attacked olive pickers with sticks and burned three cars, including his own. Seventy-three-year-old Umm Khalid said she would return to her land regardless: 'This is my land. It is my right [to be here].'

Attack on the journalist

American journalist Heidi Levine of the Washington Post was injured during the attack. According to her, dozens of settlers attacked her while she was covering the events: 'I was knocked to the ground, they kicked me while I tried to hold on to my camera and bag. I was wearing a helmet and a flak jacket, which protected me. I was made to stand up and kicked again — it went on for at least 10 minutes.' Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray said Levine was clearly identifiable as a journalist and called for a thorough investigation. The US State Department said it was aware of the reports, condemned 'criminal violence by any party' in the West Bank, and called for investigations, arrests and the prosecution of those responsible.

Israeli army response

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had dispatched personnel to the area 'following a report of a violent confrontation,' confirmed the journalist's injury and stated that 'all circumstances' of the incident would be examined. According to BBC observations, when Israeli forces arrived, the confrontation escalated: settlers ran downhill, farmers retreated, some Palestinians fired fireworks to push the settlers back. Israeli forces then began using tear gas on Palestinian fields to break up the confrontation. Sounds of live fire were heard over the fields, but it was unclear whether settlers or Israeli soldiers were shooting.

Context and UN statistics

According to the UN, there have been more attacks by Israeli settlers in the past two weeks than during the entire olive harvest season last year. Settler attacks on the olive harvest this year, according to the UN, have already killed one Palestinian and wounded more than 120 people in the West Bank. Illegal Jewish outposts have expanded in recent years, moving closer to Palestinian olive groves. Landowner Amin Khalil said his land is surrounded by seven Jewish settlements and outposts, and this year three villages have joined together to harvest as a form of protection against attacks. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law; outposts are also illegal under Israeli law, yet many still receive state support. The BBC notes that the witnessed events are part of a scenario repeating day after day as the number of outposts grows.