Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, said she was attacked in the West Bank on Friday while documenting the annual olive harvest.
Levine identified the attackers as Israeli settlers. Videos recorded by witnesses appear to show several men beating her while she lay on the ground.
Speaking from a hospital bed, a visibly injured and shaken Levine said she had been attacked by “at least 50 masked men.” She said the men knocked her down and repeatedly kicked her, adding that her flak jacket and helmet may have saved her life.
Witnesses said a group of journalists was filming Palestinians gathering olives in Abu Falah, near Ramallah, when dozens of masked men rushed down a hillside and attacked them.
Videos shared online appear to show settlers setting olive trees on fire during the assault before knocking the journalist to the ground and beating her.
In footage recorded by journalist and activist Andrey X, he and his American colleague, Jasper Nathaniel, run toward Levine as she lies on the ground. They help her to her feet before fleeing as the attackers pursue them.
Levine can be heard saying in the video that the attackers took all of her belongings and that she was having difficulty standing.
The Washington Post condemned the assault and called for a formal investigation.
“This morning, a Washington Post photographer, Heidi
Israeli police said they had opened an investigation into the incident.
“Upon receiving the report, officers from the Judea and Samaria District and forensic investigators were dispatched,” the police spokesperson’s unit said. Investigators were preparing to enter the area with Israel Defense Forces troops to collect evidence and take witness statements.
“The Israel Police and the IDF view any act of violence with the utmost severity—particularly when directed at media personnel performing their professional duties,” the statement said.
KEEP READING: Putin Broke Energy Cease-Fire to Defy Trump, GOP Congressman Says
Video reviewed by ABC News showed IDF forces at the scene of the alleged attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the journalists’ account of what happened but said Friday that Israel “unequivocally condemns violence against anyone—Jews, Arabs, Christians or journalists.”
Netanyahu also called for a full investigation.
“The facts surrounding the confrontation near Abu Falah, during which Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was allegedly assaulted, remain unclear and are under investigation,” he said. “Those responsible will be held accountable. But serious questions remain.”
The U.S. State Department expressed concern but did not assign blame to Israeli settlers or any other party.
“We are greatly concerned when any American is harmed overseas and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance,” a department spokesperson said Friday.
The spokesperson added that the United States was in regular contact with partners about improving stability and security in the West Bank. The department condemned criminal violence by any party and backed appropriate investigations and legal accountability.
The State Department also said it had contacted the Washington Post to offer consular assistance.
The violence comes amid growing violence and instability in the West Bank, where the police and the Israeli army have often been accused by locals and activists of turning a blind eye or taking part in violence against Palestinians. In August, an NBC crew was attacked and a Palestinian woman was severely injured while covering the escalating violence.
