The key facts

  • The Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, a US citizen, was attacked by settlers near the village of Abu Falah; she is in stable condition after hospitalization
  • The Washington Post, the UN, the US State Department, the FPA and RSF condemned the attack and called for an investigation; Netanyahu's office says the facts are 'unclear'
  • The Palestinian commission documented at least 136 attacks related to the olive harvest since the beginning of October

Attack on the Journalist

The Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was injured on Friday, October 16, when, according to the newspaper, a group of 'dozens of masked Israeli settlers' attacked Palestinian residents harvesting the autumn olive crop near the village of Abu Falah northeast of Ramallah. The newspaper's executive editor Matt Murray said Levine was wearing clearly visible journalist identification and called for a 'thorough investigation.' According to Levine herself, speaking from a hospital bed, she was knocked to the ground and kicked; she said her body armor and helmet likely saved her life. Blogger Andrey Khrzhanovsky, who filmed the incident, told the newspaper that settlers beat Levine with sticks while journalists and residents were being pushed back. According to the Foreign Press Association (FPA), Levine's passport, phone, wallet and equipment were stolen. She was taken to a hospital — Anadolu reported the Al-Istishari hospital, while the FPA and DW reported the Ramallah governmental hospital — where she is in stable condition.

Israel's Response

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 'facts remain unclear' and that the incident is being investigated. According to its version, about 200 'Arabs and far-left activists' clashed with roughly 40 Israeli young people, and footage shows masked people on both sides throwing objects; in other footage, according to the office, Levine is knocked down but 'the same unidentified person' immediately helps her up. The Israeli military (IDF) said troops and border police arrived at the scene and dispersed the clash with crowd-control means; the IDF stated it 'strongly condemns' the incident and will examine all circumstances. According to Anadolu, the Israeli police opened an investigation.

International Reaction

The UN called for a thorough investigation: UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the journalist's right to work without harassment had been violated and urged member states to uphold journalists' rights. The US State Department said it was 'deeply concerned' and condemned 'criminal violence by any party' in the West Bank, without directly mentioning settlers; the department offered Levine consular assistance. Democratic Senator Chris Coons called the attack 'outrageous.' The FPA described what happened as 'yet another in a long line of violent attacks by Israeli settlers against journalists and civilians' and said its appeals to the Israeli authorities are being ignored. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Israel to 'end the impunity' and hold those responsible accountable.

Context

Levine was one of two foreign journalists injured that day in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate; according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the civil defense and the Al-Baydar group, at least 12 Palestinians were also injured there, many of them farmers harvesting olives. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported this week at least 136 attacks related to the olive harvest by Israeli forces and settlers since the beginning of October. The olive harvest is an important source of income for thousands of Palestinian families who face attacks and restrictions on access to land during this season. According to Anadolu, attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have intensified since October 2023.