Israeli authorities detained 10 individuals on Monday in relation to a series of violent incidents involving settlers targeting a foreign journalist and European diplomats in the occupied West Bank. The attacks, which occurred during the annual Palestinian olive harvest season, sparked international condemnation towards Israel. The suspects’ identities and roles in the assaults were not disclosed by Israeli police.
Heidi Levine, a photographer for The Washington Post, was assaulted by a group of young male settlers in Abu Falah, sustaining multiple injuries including broken ribs, vertebrae, and a nearly severed finger that required surgery. She also received stitches for apparent stab wounds on her lower body. The following day, masked settlers assaulted a group of European diplomats and visitors in the village of Taybeh.
Israeli police reported that they have been gathering evidence and witness testimonies since the attacks. The suspects were taken in for interrogation, with the Shin Bet internal security agency, border police force, and military all participating in the investigation. The operation also targeted individuals suspected of breaching military orders for a closed military zone and offenses related to illegal construction. Several vehicles and items linking the suspects to the alleged crimes were seized.
The surge in settler violence in recent years has drawn criticism from rights groups, noting the lack of arrests or accountability for attacks against Palestinians during the olive harvest season. Reports indicate that hundreds of Palestinians have been targeted, with some casualties, and significant destruction of olive trees, a vital part of Palestinian heritage.
In a separate incident, European diplomats including Belgium’s consul general, French and Polish representatives, and Catholic officials were attacked by settlers. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot called for an end to impunity for violent settlers. Photographer Heidi Levine expressed dismay over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initial skepticism of the attack, contrasting it with the strong condemnation from President Isaac Herzog and other Israeli security officials.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the assault as a “despicable act of terror” carried out by masked perpetrators, advocating for severe punishment. With critical elections approaching, Netanyahu faces renewed scrutiny over settlement policies in the West Bank, which are widely considered illegal by much of the international community. Netanyahu’s political rival, Gadi Eisenkot, criticized the escalating violence, stating that it undermines Israel’s legitimacy.
