Israeli settlers attack Washington Post photographer during West Bank olive harvest

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villagers gathering olives near Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, on Friday, setting groves on fire and throwing stones with slings. Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, wearing a vest marked “PRESS,” was knocked down, kicked repeatedly, and robbed of her cameras and phone.

Levine was treated in Ramallah and Israel for lacerations and a broken rib and will need hand surgery after a finger was ripped open, exposing bone. She told reporters the attackers kept kicking her about 50 times.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office questioned the attack, saying reports indicate about 200 Arabs and far-left activists clashed with roughly 40 Israeli youths and that it remains unclear who started the violence. Netanyahu said the facts are under investigation.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the assaults government policy rather than a failure, accusing National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir of encouraging settlers and Netanyahu of staying silent. He described the attacks as a disgrace to the Jewish people and a disaster internationally.