16.10.2026 14:27
Heidi Levine, a 63-year-old American photojournalist following the olive harvest in the West Bank, was attacked by Israeli settlers. Levine, a Washington Post employee who was beaten near Ramallah, was hospitalized after suffering fractures and various injuries on her body. Palestinian farmers were also injured in the attack, while some olive trees were set on fire.
As attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian farmers continue in the West Bank, this time an American journalist was targeted. Heidi Levine, a 63-year-old photojournalist working for The Washington Post, was beaten by Israeli settlers while she was covering the olive harvest in the village of Abu Falah, east of Ramallah. Levine, who suffered fractures and various injuries in the attack, was taken under treatment.
ATTACKED WHILE DOCUMENTING THE OLIVE HARVEST
In the incident that occurred on October 16, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers collecting olives. Heidi Levine, who was photographing the developments in the area, was also injured during the attack.
The Palestinian Red Crescent announced that a 63-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man who were beaten in the attack were treated and that the two injured were referred to hospital.
THEY SET OLIVE TREES ON FIRE
During the attack, some olive trees were reportedly set on fire, and settlers attacked Palestinian farmers with stones. Gunshots were heard during the incidents, in which Palestinians in the area also responded by throwing stones.
According to a Reuters correspondent at the scene, the attacks continued after Israeli soldiers reached the area. The soldiers used tear gas toward the Palestinians. A Reuters photographer saw an armed settler open fire.
NO STATEMENT FROM THE ISRAELI ARMY REGARDING THE ATTACK
It was reported that Palestinians were also injured in the attack, in addition to the journalist. The Israeli army made no statement regarding the incident at the initial stage.
While attacks against Palestinian farmers and journalists working in the region during the olive harvest season in the West Bank have come to the agenda again recently, on October 6 AFP photojournalist Jaafar Ashtiyeh was also beaten by Israeli settlers and taken to hospital.