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.

"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.

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. 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."

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