West Bank olive harvest disrupted by settler violence
· BehindLines newsroom
Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian families harvesting olives near Abu Falah, close to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on Friday 16 October. Cars and olive trees were set on fire. Heidi Levine, an American photographer working for the Washington Post, was among those injured.
The reported tolls differ. A local official quoted by the BBC reported twelve injured Palestinians, four of whom also hold US citizenship. Palestinian authorities cited by the Guardian reported attacks in eight villages and at least twenty people injured. The British newspaper put the number of settlers at Abu Falah at no fewer than 80; some carried firearms or clubs.
A journalist beaten for more than ten minutes
Witnesses said Heidi Levine was beaten while on the ground for more than ten minutes. Her helmet and protective vest prevented more serious injuries, she explained. Her identity documents, phone and equipment were taken, the Guardian reported. The Washington Post said she was clearly identifiable as a journalist and called for a thorough investigation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office described the events as unclear and blamed Palestinians and far-left activists, while saying it condemned all violence. The Israeli military said it was examining the circumstances. US diplomats called for investigations, arrests and convictions regardless of which side the perpetrators belonged to.
A tense harvest season
According to UN figures cited by the BBC, the past two weeks have seen more settler attacks than the whole of last year's harvest season. Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din has recorded at least 170 attacks since 27 September. New military rules also bar Palestinians from accessing about 8,800 hectares of farmland without permission, an area 30% larger than last year.
Olives remain a vital source of income for many families, particularly since many permits to work in Israel were withdrawn after October 2023. The UN and most states consider West Bank settlements contrary to international law. On the ground, harvesting has become a race against time: several villages are working together for protection, without always succeeding.