Israel's Prime Minister's Office stated on Friday that it is still unclear who assaulted Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine during a clash near Abu Falah in Judea and Samaria. The office pointed to reports that some 200 "Arabs and far-left activists" had faced off against roughly 40 Israeli youths. She was hurt near Khirbet Abu Falah, a Palestinian village about 10 miles northeast of Ramallah.
Two Israeli investigations are now underway. The IDF condemned the incident and stated that police and forensic teams from the Judea and Samaria District would enter the area under military escort to gather evidence and take testimony. Ynet reported that Israel Police opened a probe covering both Abu Falah and neighboring Turmus Ayya, where suspected stone-throwing and the torching of vehicles are under examination. "The Israel Police and the IDF view any manifestation of violence gravely, particularly when it involves journalists carrying out their work," police said.
Levine is an American citizen, and the US Embassy in Jerusalem stated that it was monitoring the situation. A spokesperson noted that the State Department provides consular assistance to Americans facing difficulties abroad. "We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and call for investigations, arrests and convictions of those responsible," the spokesperson said. As JNS noted, Washington and Jerusalem have clashed over alleged settler violence, including attacks on American citizens.
Competing accounts
"Footage shows masked individuals on both sides hurling objects, amid reports of fireworks fired at Jewish youths," the Prime Minister's Office said. "Other footage appears to show Levine knocked down and immediately helped to her feet by the same unidentified individual." The office insisted the investigation must establish who started the violence. "We will not allow disputed incidents to be exploited to demonize the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria. The facts must determine the conclusions. Not the headlines," it declared.
The office also issued a firm condemnation: "Israel unequivocally condemns violence against anyone, Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists. Those responsible will be held accountable."
Matt Murray, the Post's executive editor, stated that Levine "was attacked by Israeli settlers while reporting in the West Bank" and was "wearing visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist." He said the paper was "outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job" and urged the authorities to investigate thoroughly.
Levine spoke from a hospital in Ramallah, where she was in stable condition. "I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here, because they just kept kicking me and kicking me," she said. In remarks carried by The Jerusalem Post, she said she had been kicked "about 50 times" and that "in the end they just ripped everything from me."
Descriptions of the video differ. Ynet said it showed masked individuals striking Levine with sticks as she lay on the ground. The Jerusalem Post said the clip it viewed showed her on her knees on a path, wearing a press jacket and helmet, while fellow journalists rushed to carry her away.
Witnesses gave a different count from the one the Prime Minister's Office cited, describing about 80 "settlers," many masked, coming down a hill toward the groves, setting trees alight and slinging stones at harvesters. "The settlers want to attack us and force us from our homes," Palestinian farmer Moutaz Abdelhadi told Reuters.
The IDF said troops and Border Police were dispatched after a report of a violent confrontation and used riot dispersal means. At a second location, soldiers fired warning shots into the air, then shot at a suspect who ran toward them carrying a sharp object. The IDF did not identify the suspects as settlers.
The Binyamin Regional Council called the clash a "planned provocation" organized by the Palestinian Authority. It said hundreds of "anarchists and terrorists" threw stones and fired fireworks at Israelis while journalists filmed, and that PA patrol vehicles were present even though the site is in Area B, "where Israel holds responsibility for security." Arutz Sheva reported that the group set out from al-Mughayyir alongside left-wing Israeli and foreign activists, set fire to a field belonging to Jewish residents and attacked those who came to put out the flames. The council did not address Levine's injuries.
Gadi Eisenkot called the attack "unacceptable." "This handful of rioters does not represent the public in Israel," he said, urging police to take harsh measures.
At the UN General Assembly in September, Netanyahu described the discussion of "settler violence" as a "distortion."
