Israeli Police Arrest 8 in West Bank Settler Attacks on US Journalist, European Diplomats
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 19
Israeli Police Arrest 8 in West Bank Settler Attacks on US Journalist, European Diplomats
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 19
Summary
Eight suspects were detained for questioning after weekend settler violence in the West Bank, including separate attacks on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine and European diplomats.
Police withheld the suspects' identities and possible charges, saying the investigation is ongoing; Galatz reported they are Israelis and that Shin Bet is involved.
Masked settlers were filmed assaulting Levine on Friday during a Palestinian olive harvest, and on Saturday attacked European diplomats and a French mayor elsewhere in the West Bank.
The incidents drew condemnation from the United States, France, Belgium and Poland, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar blamed "Israeli rioters" but Benjamin Netanyahu said facts in Levine's case were unclear.
The arrests come as settler attacks on Palestinians have surged, with Yesh Din recording at least 170 incidents since Sept. 27, increasingly hitting journalists, activists and foreign observers.