RMF242 hours agoWorld2 min read

Israeli soldiers watched as settlers beat an AFP photographer

Quick Look

AFP photojournalists Ashtiyeh Jaafar and John Wessels were attacked by Jewish settlers while covering the olive harvest by Palestinian farmers in Akraba in the occupied West Bank.
Jaafar suffered injuries to his head and torso, despite the presence of Israeli soldiers nearby who did not intervene.
The incident was condemned by AFP's information director.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The West Bank is part of Palestine occupied by Israel since 1967. Israeli settlements in the area are considered illegal under international law, although Israel does not recognize it. The region is the site of frequent clashes between Palestinians and Jewish settlers, often with a passive stance or active support from Israeli security forces.

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Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalists - Ashtiyeh Jaafar and John Wessels - reported on the situation of Palestinian farmers picking olives in the area of the village of Akraba in the north of the West Bank - the part of Palestine occupied by Israel.

"The Guardian" reports that at one point six Jewish settlers ran up to the journalists. When Jaafar tried to get into a car clearly marked "Press", two attackers attacked him and hit him with rifle butts.

The photojournalist suffered head and torso injuries. Examinations did not reveal any fractures, but the man remained under observation in a hospital in Nablus. Wessels, who was with him, said that he heard his friend screaming, but he himself was intimidated by the gun.

The case is even more shocking because - as "The Guardian" reports, citing Wessels' account - there were a dozen or so Israeli soldiers about 500 meters away, but they did not intervene.

AFP chief information officer Phil Chetwynd condemned the attack and called for a full investigation. He stressed that it is unacceptable for armed settlers to beat and rob journalists in the presence of the Israeli security services.

"The Guardian" reports that approximately 500,000 people live in the West Bank. Jewish settlers among approximately 3 million Palestinians. Israeli settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal under international law, which Tel Aviv opposes.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Israeli authorities will investigate the attack on AFP photojournalists following international pressure and a statement from AFP's information director.
Likely · Within weeks
The incident may lead to a reconsideration of the issue of the protection of journalists in the occupied territories by international organizations such as the UN or the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Possible · Within months

Open Questions

Were Israeli soldiers held accountable for their failure to intervene?
What steps did the Israeli police or military take to identify and arrest the attackers?
Does the AFP intend to take legal action against the attackers or the Israeli state for failing to protect them?
How often do similar attacks on journalists occur in the West Bank?