West Bank settlers torch olive trees, injure journalist in harvest attack
Why it matters: The UN says the past two weeks have brought more settler attacks than all of last year’s olive harvest season.
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank on Oct. 16, burning trees, throwing rocks and injuring multiple people, including Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine. Reuters and the BBC witnessed the assault, which unfolded as villagers gathered for the annual harvest. Levine said settlers pushed her to the ground and kept kicking her before Palestinian colleagues intervened; she was later hospitalized in Ramallah in stable condition. Palestinian officials and medics reported several other injuries, and the BBC said cars were also set on fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots after deploying to the area and called attacks on civilians unacceptable.