Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers harvesting olives in Abu Falah, near Ramallah, on Friday (Oct. 16), setting fire to olive groves and throwing stones. Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, was beaten and hospitalised, with her camera and phone stolen.
Levine, wearing a vest marked "PRESS", said about 50 masked men pushed her to the ground and kicked her at least 50 times. Witnesses said Israeli soldiers fired tear gas at Palestinians, and one Palestinian was shot and wounded.
The US Embassy in Israel condemned the attack, demanding an "investigation, arrest and conviction of the perpetrators". Palestinian officials said at least four Palestinians have been killed and over 100 injured since the olive harvest began.
Settler violence has surged, with an average of 39 incidents a day in the first nine days of October, as Israel's general election due on Oct. 27 approaches.
Related News:
US Media: US military ordered to prepare for strikes on Iran again
Airstrike on press car in southern Lebanon kills three journalists
Comment