Israeli Settlers Attack Journalists and Farmers in West Bank

Israeli settlers carried out a series of violent attacks against journalists, activists, and Palestinian farmers across the occupied West Bank. In Umm al-Khair, armed settlers beat Russian activist Adele Shoko, US journalist Jasper Nathaniel, and Israeli-Russian activist Andrey X, stealing their equipment and personal items. Israeli forces subsequently arrested Nathaniel and Andrey X, the latter of whom allegedly suffered a concussion and was denied hospital treatment.

Similar violence occurred during olive harvests. In Abu Falah, masked settlers beat and robbed Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine despite her press vest. Israeli soldiers arriving at the scene fired tear gas and live ammunition, shooting a Palestinian man in the leg. Further assaults took place in Kafr Malik and al-Mughayyir, where settlers targeted a solidarity activist and olive harvesters, opening live fire toward Palestinian residences.

Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and US lawmakers have called for investigations into the violence. Local sources describe these attacks, which include arson and crop uprooting, as routine occurrences that Israeli authorities rarely prosecute.