West Bank olive harvest: Settler attacks reported, 10 arrested

Israeli police have arrested at least ten suspected settler attackers under Operation Olive Leaf following reported assaults on Palestinian farmers, European diplomats and an American photojournalist during the West Bank olive harvest, RT reported on October 20. Security forces also demolished two unauthorised outposts, with the actions reportedly following pressure from Washington.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected allegations of settler violence as a “blood libel” against Jewish communities in the West Bank, which he described as law-abiding and courageous. The reported arrests concern suspects and do not establish individual guilt.

Diplomats reportedly attacked in Taybeh

In Taybeh, a predominantly Christian Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank, masked settlers carrying clubs reportedly attacked European diplomats who had come to assist olive farmers. A 78-year-old French mayor was reportedly kicked and beaten, and stones shattered windows in diplomatic vehicles.

Correspondent Charlotte Dubenskij said calls for assistance went unanswered for hours before Israel Defense Forces personnel arrived, despite a military outpost being less than two kilometres away. She also reported that the location was a closed military zone and that the diplomats had not coordinated their visit with the IDF.

The account did not include an IDF response to the allegation of a delayed intervention.

US photojournalist's son describes serious injuries

In a separate incident at Abu Fallah, near Ramallah, American photojournalist Heidi Levine was reportedly seriously injured while covering Palestinian villagers harvesting olives. The report described footage showing Levine being kicked on the ground while visibly identifiable as a journalist; BharatVox has not independently reviewed that footage.

Her son, Michael Miller, said she sustained fractures to four vertebrae, a rib broken in two places and a hand injury requiring surgery. He alleged that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas at Palestinians and journalists, dispersing the group and leaving his mother isolated before approximately 15 people attacked her.

The National Press Club called for an investigation into the assault. The account did not identify the individual attackers or establish whether any of those arrested were suspected of attacking Levine.

Harvest violence threatens food and income

The annual olive harvest supplies Palestinian families with oil for their own use and produce they can sell. Attacks during the gathering season therefore threaten both household food supplies and earnings.

Dubenskij also reported accusations that Israeli forces used rubber bullets and tear gas against Palestinians attempting to harvest their crops. Those allegations, the circumstances of the individual assaults and the claimed response delays have not been independently verified by BharatVox.