Masked Israeli settlers attacked an American Washington Post journalist Friday in the West Bank, kicking her and beating her with clubs, video shows.
Heidi Levine, a 64-year-old WaPo photographer, was caught in the middle of an Israeli settler attack on Palestinian villagers who were harvesting olives, according to the outlet. Video posted on X by independent journalist Jasper Nathaniel shows the settlers repeatedly kicking Levine and beating her with clubs. They also stole her equipment.
“This morning, a Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, was attacked by Israeli settlers while reporting in the West Bank,” Matt Murray, WaPo’s executive editor, said in a statement Friday. “She was wearing visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist. While we are relieved that Heidi has received medical care and is safe, we are outraged by this unwarranted attack on a journalist doing her job and urge a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities.”
Witnesses told Reuter that approximately 80 Israeli settlers engaged in a coordinated attack, burning cars and throwing rocks at settlers in the village of Abu Falah, near Ramallah. Reuters also reported that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas in the direction of Palestinians, and that the attack continued even after they had arrived. One Israeli soldier reportedly shot a Palestinian man in the leg.
“They do nothing to stop the settlers, and they speed into town and start firing their guns and tear-gassing, and they shoot a Palestinian man in the leg,” Nathaniel said of the IDF. “They’re pointing their guns at the paramedics who are helping him, shoving journalists, including myself.”
Levine said Palestinian colleagues intervened, helping get her to an ambulance.
“I was attacked, pushed to the ground,” Levine said from her hospital bed after the incident. “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.”
