80 Israeli Settlers Burn Olive Trees, Injure 2 at West Bank Harvest
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 16
80 Israeli Settlers Burn Olive Trees, Injure 2 at West Bank Harvest
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 16
Summary
At least 2 people were hospitalized after about 80 masked Israeli settlers stormed Abu Falah's olive harvest, burning trees and hurling rocks at Palestinian villagers.
Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, said settlers pushed her down and repeatedly kicked her; video showed her on the ground surrounded by at least three attackers.
Israeli military jeeps entered during the assault, but the attack continued; soldiers fired tear gas toward Palestinians, live gunfire was heard, and a Reuters photographer saw an armed settler fire a gun.
Yesh Din says settler violence has surged to at least 170 attacks since Sept. 27, around the start of the olive harvest, amid growing international criticism of Israel's settlement policy.
The Abu Falah assault followed another Friday attack near Turmus Ayya, where settlers burned 3 cars after targeting olive farmers, underscoring widening risks during the harvest season.