Washington Post Challenges Netanyahu Over Assault on Photojournalist in West Bank
The Washington Post disputes Benjamin Netanyahu's claims regarding the violent attack on photojournalist Heidi Levine by masked settlers in the West Bank.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — The Washington Post has formally challenged the Israeli government’s characterization of a violent assault on one of its photojournalists, Heidi Levine, who was attacked by masked settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Executive editor Matt Murray issued a sharp rebuttal on X after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the circumstances surrounding the incident near Abu Falah remained unclear and subject to an ongoing investigation.
Murray rejected the notion that the facts were ambiguous, stating that the photographer was clearly identified as press and was undeniably beaten. He emphasized that these details are not subject to debate and called for immediate accountability.
Video footage released by the newspaper captures the moment masked individuals knocked the veteran conflict reporter to the ground, where she was subsequently kicked and beaten. Witnesses reported that approximately 80 masked people, equipped with gas canisters, targeted an olive harvest in the area, setting trees ablaze and throwing stones at Palestinians.
In his statement, Netanyahu asserted that Israel condemns violence against all groups, including journalists, and promised that those responsible would face consequences. He further claimed that reports suggested a confrontation between 200 Arabs and far-left activists against 40 Israeli youths, adding that some footage appeared to show Levine being helped up after falling.
Levine, speaking from a hospital bed, described being brutally attacked, pushed to the ground, and robbed of her camera equipment, bag, and phone. She credited her survival to her flak jacket and helmet, noting that the assailants continued to kick her repeatedly during the assault.
The Israeli military stated that Border Police were deployed to disperse the confrontation using riot control measures and promised a full examination of the incident. Meanwhile, Palestinian medical officials confirmed that two individuals were transported to hospitals in the Ramallah area for treatment.
The incident occurs amid a surge in settler violence during the current olive harvest season. The monitoring group Yesh Din has documented at least 234 attacks since September 27, while the United Nations reports that Israeli forces and settlers have killed more than 1,140 Palestinians in the West Bank over the past three years.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
